U.S. patent application number 15/406138 was filed with the patent office on 2018-07-19 for secured vehicle for user use only.
The applicant listed for this patent is NextEV USA, Inc.. Invention is credited to Austin L. Newman.
Application Number | 20180204399 15/406138 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 62838281 |
Filed Date | 2018-07-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20180204399 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Newman; Austin L. |
July 19, 2018 |
SECURED VEHICLE FOR USER USE ONLY
Abstract
Systems of an electrical vehicle and the operations thereof are
provided. Within an autonomous vehicle fleet that can be optionally
primarily used for ridesharing, how does an owner or first user of
one of the vehicles prevent another customer or second user from
approaching a vehicle and using it for their own purposes/trips?
How does the first customer lock down the vehicle for their use
exclusively? How does a user secure any personal data that they may
have stored in the vehicle? As one example, software locking,
portable device authentication, human identification, biometric,
rolling code and/or a physical identification card can be utilized
to secure and/or reserve the vehicle for the first user.
Inventors: |
Newman; Austin L.; (San
Jose, CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
NextEV USA, Inc. |
San Jose |
CA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
62838281 |
Appl. No.: |
15/406138 |
Filed: |
January 13, 2017 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04W 12/08 20130101;
G07C 9/00571 20130101; B60W 50/12 20130101; G07C 9/00309 20130101;
B60W 2040/0809 20130101; H04L 63/08 20130101; H04L 2209/84
20130101; G07C 9/23 20200101; H04L 63/102 20130101; G07C 2209/14
20130101; H04W 12/06 20130101; B60W 40/08 20130101; G07C 9/25
20200101; B60W 2540/043 20200201; G07C 9/21 20200101; H04L 9/3215
20130101; B60W 2050/008 20130101; G07C 2009/00507 20130101; B60R
25/20 20130101; G07C 2009/00873 20130101; H04L 67/306 20130101;
G07C 9/28 20200101; B60W 2900/00 20130101; H04L 2463/082
20130101 |
International
Class: |
G07C 9/00 20060101
G07C009/00; H04L 29/06 20060101 H04L029/06; H04W 12/08 20060101
H04W012/08; H04L 9/08 20060101 H04L009/08; H04L 29/08 20060101
H04L029/08; B60W 40/08 20060101 B60W040/08; B60W 50/12 20060101
B60W050/12 |
Claims
1-22. (canceled)
23. A vehicle security system, comprising: a security license
system to lock one or more vehicle systems using encryption; one or
more sensors to detect that an authorized user of the vehicle is no
longer proximate to the vehicle; a communications system to
provide, in response to the one or more sensors detecting that the
authorized user of the vehicle is no longer proximate to the
vehicle, a decryption key to a communication device associated with
the authorized user, wherein the decryption key is configured to
decrypt the encryption used for locking the one or more vehicle
systems; the communications system further configured to receive a
plurality of factors for authentication in response to a request
for authentication, wherein the plurality of factors includes the
decryption key; a multi-factor authentication system in
communication with the communication system to determine whether
access to the vehicle should be provided based on the received
plurality of factors; a low-level controller that allows access to
the one or more vehicle systems upon authentication confirmation
from the multi-factor authentication system; and the multi-factor
authentication system further allowing access to user profile
information associated with the authorized user of the vehicle
based on the authentication and only when the decryption key is
received by the communications system.
24. The vehicle security system of claim 23, wherein the low-level
controller operates at a Basic Input-Output System ("BIOS") level,
wherein the low-level controller encrypts a component to prevent
use of the component by an unauthenticated user, wherein the
component is one or more of the vehicle's navigation,
communication, control, and/or sensor, wherein the decryption key
must be provided by the first user to decrypt and enable the
component, and wherein the plurality of factors includes one or
more of user identity information, biometric information, license
information, rolling code information, password information, time
information, location information, reservation information, secure
code information, and/or an authorization code.
25. The vehicle security system of claim 23, wherein the vehicle
operates in a high or full automation level, wherein when operating
in the high automation level a human driver is separated from
controlling all vehicle operations, wherein when operating in the
full automation level the vehicle controls all driving operations,
wherein, in the high or full automation levels, the vehicle
receives sensor information describing a condition of a target in
an environment surrounding the vehicle, and autonomously changes to
a driving operation of the vehicle in response to the sensor
information, wherein the low-level controller operates at a Basic
Input-Output System ("BIOS") level, wherein the communications
system receives the plurality of factors for authentication one or
more of wirelessly, through direct electrical contact, via a user
interface, from a smartphone, from an electronic device, audibly,
and/or from a reader, and wherein the low-level controller
authenticates the user using one or more of a rolling RSA security
license, biometric information, public key/private key encryption
technique, and an encryption technique.
26. The vehicle security system of claim 23, wherein the vehicle is
a shared vehicle, the vehicle being shared by at least the user and
a second user, and one of the plurality of factors for
authentication is a reservation for the vehicle at a date and a
time, wherein the low-level controller encrypts a component to
prevent use of the component by an unauthenticated user, wherein
the component is one or more of the vehicle's navigation,
communication, control, and/or sensor, wherein the decryption key
must be provided by an authenticated user to decrypt and enable the
component, wherein the user, but not the second user, is provided
with the decryption key at a first time and the second user, but
not the user, is provided with the decryption key at a different
second time, and wherein the decryption key is provided wirelessly
to smartphones of the user and the second user.
27. The vehicle security system of claim 23, wherein the
authentication provides access to only some of the vehicle systems,
wherein the vehicle is a shared vehicle, the vehicle being shared
by at least the user and a second user, and one of the plurality of
factors for authentication is a reservation for the vehicle at a
date and a time, wherein different first and second tokens are
provided to the user and the second user, respectively at different
times, wherein the tokens are generated by an RSA SecurID
authentication mechanism, and wherein the low-level controller
determines that the first token, but not the second token, is valid
at a first time and that the second token, but not the first token,
is valid at a different second time.
28. The vehicle security system of claim 23, wherein a license
associated with the authentication specifies which vehicle systems
a particular user can access, wherein a trusted platform module
authenticates a key received from the user, wherein the trusted
platform module is embedded in a motherboard of an on board vehicle
system, and wherein the key is a hardware key.
29. The vehicle security system of claim 23, wherein after
authentication the vehicle is subsequently locked and one or more
of the one or more vehicle systems are encrypted, wherein a trusted
platform module authenticates a key received from the user, wherein
the trusted platform module is embedded in a motherboard of an on
board vehicle system, wherein the key is the decryption key, and
wherein the decryption is wrapped using the trusted platform
module, thereby binding a storage device comprising encrypted
information that is decrypted by the decryption key to a device
comprising the motherboard.
30. The vehicle security system of claim 23, wherein the low-level
controller operates at a Basic Input-Output System ("BIOS") level,
wherein the low-level controller encrypts a component to prevent
use of the component by an unauthenticated user, wherein the
component is one or more of the vehicle's navigation,
communication, control, and/or sensor, and wherein the vehicle
communicates the decryption key to decrypt the encrypted component
to a computational component in a cloud.
31. The vehicle security system of claim 23, wherein successful
authentication of the user triggers downloading by the vehicle of
the user's information from a remote location.
32. The vehicle security system of claim 23, wherein the user has
reserved the vehicle over a specified time period and/or for pickup
at a specific location, wherein the request for authentication is
triggered by a vehicle sensor detecting a presence of the user, and
wherein the low-level controller considers the time and/or location
of the user's presence in determining whether to authenticate
successfully the user.
33. A method to operate a vehicle security system comprising:
determining, via one or more sensors, that an authorized user of a
vehicle is no longer proximate to the vehicle; communicating, in
response to the one or more sensors determining that the authorized
user of the vehicle is no longer proximate to the vehicle, a
decryption key to a communication device associated with the
authorized user, wherein the decryption key is configured to
decrypt an encryption used for locking one or more vehicle systems;
receiving, by a low-level controller, a plurality of factors for
authentication in response to a communicated request for
authentication, wherein the plurality of factors includes the
decryption key; determining, by the low-level controller, whether
access to the vehicle should be provided based on the received
plurality of factors; allowing access, using a low-level
controller, to the one or more vehicle systems upon authentication
confirmation from the multi-factor authentication system; and
allowing, by the low-level controller, access to user profile
information associated with the authorized user of the vehicle
based on the authentication and only when the decryption key is
received by the communications system.
34. The method of claim 33, wherein the low-level controller
operates at a Basic Input-Output System ("BIOS") level, wherein the
low-level controller encrypts a component to prevent use of the
component by an unauthenticated user, wherein the component is one
or more of the vehicle's navigation, communication, control, and/or
sensor, wherein the decryption key must be provided by the user to
decrypt and enable the component, and wherein the plurality of
factors include one or more of user identity information, biometric
information, license information, rolling code information,
password information, time information, location information,
reservation information, secure code information, and/or an
authorization code.
35. The method of claim 33, wherein the vehicle operates in a high
or full automation level, wherein when operating in the high
automation level a human driver is separated from controlling all
vehicle operations, wherein when operating in the full automation
level the vehicle controls all driving operations, wherein, in the
high or full automation levels, the vehicle receives sensor
information describing a condition of a target in an environment
surrounding the vehicle, and autonomously changes to a driving
operation of the vehicle in response to the sensor information,
wherein the low-level controller operates at a Basic Input-Output
System ("BIOS") level, wherein a communications system receives the
plurality of factors for authentication one or more of wirelessly,
through direct electrical contact, via a user interface, from a
smartphone, from an electronic device, audibly, and/or from a
reader, and wherein the low-level controller authenticates the
first user using one or more of a rolling RSA security license,
biometric information, public key/private key encryption technique,
and an encryption technique.
36. The method of claim 33, wherein the vehicle is a shared
vehicle, the vehicle being shared by at least the user and a second
user, and one of the plurality of factors for authentication is a
reservation for the vehicle at a date and a time, wherein the
low-level controller encrypts a component to prevent use of the
component by an unauthenticated user, wherein the component is one
or more of the vehicle's navigation, communication, control, and/or
sensor, wherein the decryption key must be provided by an
authenticated user to decrypt and enable the component, wherein the
user, but not the second user, is provided with the decryption key
at a first time and the second user, but not the user, is provided
with the decryption key at a different second time, and wherein the
decryption key is provided wirelessly to smartphones of the user
and the second user.
37. The method of claim 33, wherein the authentication provides
access to only some of the vehicle systems, wherein the vehicle is
a shared vehicle, the vehicle being shared by at least the user and
a second user, and one of the plurality of factors for
authentication is a reservation for the vehicle at a date and a
time, wherein different first and second tokens are provided to the
user and the second user, respectively at different times, wherein
the tokens are generated by an RSA SecurID authentication
mechanism, and wherein the low-level controller determines that the
first token, but not the second token, is valid at a first time and
that the second token, but not the first token, is valid at a
different second time.
38. The method of claim 33, wherein a license associated with the
authentication specifies which vehicle systems a user can access,
wherein a trusted platform module authenticates a key received from
the user, wherein the trusted platform module is embedded in a
motherboard of an on board vehicle system, and wherein the key is a
hardware key.
39. The method of claim 33, wherein after authentication the
vehicle is subsequently locked and one or more of the one or more
vehicle systems are encrypted, wherein a trusted platform module
authenticates a key received from the user, wherein the trusted
platform module is embedded in a motherboard of an on board vehicle
system, wherein the key is the decryption key, and wherein the
decryption is wrapped using the trusted platform module, thereby
binding a storage device comprising encrypted information that is
decrypted by the decryption key to a device comprising the
motherboard.
40. The method of claim 33, wherein the low-level controller
operates at a Basic Input-Output System ("BIOS") level, wherein the
low-level controller encrypts a component to prevent use of the
component by an unauthenticated user, wherein the component is one
or more of the vehicle's navigation, communication, control, and/or
sensor, and wherein the vehicle communicates the decryption key to
decrypt the encrypted component to a computational component in a
distributed network.
41. The method of claim 33, wherein the user has reserved the
vehicle over a specified time period and/or for pickup at a
specific location, wherein the request for authentication is
triggered by a vehicle sensor detecting a presence of the user, and
wherein the low-level controller considers the time and/or location
of the first user presence in determining whether to authenticate
successfully the user.
42. A vehicle, comprising: a sensor system having one or more
sensors configured to determine that an authorized user of a
vehicle is no longer proximate to the vehicle; a communications
system configured to send a decryption key to a communication
device associated with the authorized user in response to the one
or more sensors determining that the authorized user of the vehicle
is no longer proximate to the vehicle, wherein the decryption key
is configured to decrypt an encryption used for locking one or more
vehicle systems and receive a plurality of factors for
authentication of a user in response to a request for
authentication; a multi-factor authentication system in
communication with the communication system to determine whether
access to the vehicle should be provided to the user based on the
received plurality of factors wherein the plurality of factors
includes the decryption key; and a low-level controller that allows
the user access to one or more vehicle systems upon authentication
confirmation from the multi-factor authentication system, wherein
the low-level controller operates at a Basic Input-Output System
("BIOS") level, and wherein the low-level controller allows access
to user profile information associated with the authorized user of
the vehicle based on the authentication and only when the
decryption key is received by the communications system.
Description
FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure is generally directed to vehicle
systems, in particular, toward vehicle usage and
authentication.
BACKGROUND
[0002] In recent years, transportation methods have changed
substantially. Within an autonomous vehicle fleet that is primarily
used for ridesharing, how does an owner or first user of one of the
vehicles prevent another customer or second user from approaching a
vehicle and using it for their own purposes? How does the customer
lock down the vehicle to them specifically? Within software a
locking command can be used, portable device authentication, human
identification, and/or a physical identification card can be
removed rendering the car useless, acting as a biometric identity
for the vehicle.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0003] FIG. 1 shows a vehicle in accordance with embodiments of the
present disclosure;
[0004] FIG. 2 shows a plan view of the vehicle in accordance with
at least some embodiments of the present disclosure;
[0005] FIG. 3A is a block diagram of an embodiment of a
communication environment of the vehicle in accordance with
embodiments of the present disclosure;
[0006] FIG. 3B is a block diagram of an embodiment of interior
sensors within the vehicle in accordance with embodiments of the
present disclosure;
[0007] FIG. 3C is a block diagram of an embodiment of a navigation
system of the vehicle in accordance with embodiments of the present
disclosure;
[0008] FIG. 4 shows an embodiment of the instrument panel of the
vehicle according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0009] FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a
communications subsystem of the vehicle;
[0010] FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a computing environment
associated with the embodiments presented herein;
[0011] FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a computing device associated
with one or more components described herein;
[0012] FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary vehicle
security system;
[0013] FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary method for
vehicle authentication;
[0014] FIG. 10 is another flowchart illustrating another exemplary
method for vehicle security; and
[0015] FIG. 11 is another flowchart illustrating another exemplary
method for vehicle security.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0016] As discussed above, one of the challenges users could be
presented with when a vehicle is shared between a plurality of
users and how that vehicle is reserved or otherwise held for a
first user when a second user approaches and tries to use the
vehicle. A need exists for a methodology and technology to allow
the first user of the vehicle to secure that vehicle such that the
vehicle is not available to other users either for a predetermined
amount of time or in general for any duration of time. In
accordance of one exemplary aspect, a user can utilize multi-factor
authentication to one or more of secure or "unlock" the vehicle.
This can be optionally coupled with a low-level lockdown of the
vehicle, such as at a BIOS (Basic Input-Output System) level or
some other low level that has increased robustness against hacking,
compromising, and other vulnerabilities. This can further
optionally be coupled with technologies such as a rolling RSA
security license, biometric information, public key/private key
encryption techniques, encryption techniques in general, and the
like.
[0017] In accordance with one exemplary embodiment, upon a vehicle
being "locked" or reserved for the first user, one or more of the
vehicle's navigation, communication, control, sensor, and/or other
systems or subsystems can be encrypted thereby preventing their use
until an appropriate decryption key is provided. In this manner, it
would be extremely difficult for the vehicle to be compromised
without another user presenting a decryption key to "unlock" the
system. The use of encryption can be taken a step further to also
help secure any personal information that may be stored in the
vehicle. For example, one or more user preferences, personal
information, credit card information, biometric information, and in
general any information relating to a user, could be stored one or
more of locally in the vehicle and/or in the cloud or a distributed
network as discussed. Security of this information can be a vital
aspect of users becoming comfortable with utilizing multiple
different vehicles in a shared vehicle type of environment, knowing
that their personal information cannot, or that it would be
extremely difficult, to compromise. As with the other techniques
discussed herein, this personal information can be locked-down at a
low level, using encryption, or otherwise secured in accordance
with one or more of the techniques discussed herein.
[0018] Another exemplary aspect is directed toward management of
keys between the vehicle and a user. Traditionally, the user has
been provided with a physical or hybrid physical electronic key
that includes, for example, a circuit. When this key is presented
to the vehicle, the vehicle unlocks and runs as is well known. In
accordance with one exemplary embodiment, this basic technology is
extended to take advantage of many electronic devices that are
commonplace today, such as the smartphone and/or credit cards with
smart chips. In accordance with one exemplary aspect, the
decryption key can be communicated in a secure manner to a user's
smartphone, such that when the user decides to leave the vehicle,
that encryption key is communicated and stored on their smartphone.
Only with this key, can a user unlock the vehicle and utilize
and/or have access to the various systems and information stored
therein. As another example, this encryption information could be
stored on a chip such as on a chip of a "credit card" that is used
to communicate with the vehicle's security system and provide
locking and unlocking technology for the vehicle. As will be
appreciated and discussed hereinafter, the communication of the
various keys, information, and the like between the vehicle and,
for example, a smartphone or "credit card" type of device, can be
one or more of wirelessly, mechanically through an electrical
connection, and/or some combination thereof. With a contact-based
system for communicating this type of data, security can be
enhanced, to the detriment of convenience. However, with wireless
communications becoming securer every day, after device
authentication, critical information, such as an encryption or
decryption keys could similarly be communicated wirelessly from the
vehicle to, for example, a smartphone via a wireless communications
link with the integrity of that information being protectable.
[0019] Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in
connection with a vehicle, and in some embodiments, an electric
vehicle, rechargeable electric vehicle, and/or hybrid-electric
vehicle and associated systems.
[0020] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a vehicle 100 in
accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. The electric
vehicle 100 comprises a vehicle front 110, vehicle aft or rear 120,
vehicle roof 130, at least one vehicle side 160, a vehicle
undercarriage 140, and a vehicle interior 150. In any event, the
vehicle 100 may include a frame 104 and one or more body panels 108
mounted or affixed thereto. The vehicle 100 may include one or more
interior components (e.g., components inside an interior space 150,
or user space, of a vehicle 100, etc.), exterior components (e.g.,
components outside of the interior space 150, or user space, of a
vehicle 100, etc.), drive systems, controls systems, structural
components, etc.
[0021] Although shown in the form of a car, it should be
appreciated that the vehicle 100 described herein may include any
conveyance or model of a conveyance, where the conveyance was
designed for the purpose of moving one or more tangible objects,
such as people, animals, cargo, and the like. The term "vehicle"
does not require that a conveyance moves or is capable of movement.
Typical vehicles may include but are in no way limited to cars,
trucks, motorcycles, busses, automobiles, trains, railed
conveyances, boats, ships, marine conveyances, submarine
conveyances, airplanes, space craft, flying machines, human-powered
conveyances, and the like.
[0022] In some embodiments, the vehicle 100 may include a number of
sensors, devices, and/or systems that are capable of assisting in
driving operations, e.g., autonomous or semi-autonomous control.
Examples of the various sensors and systems may include, but are in
no way limited to, one or more of cameras (e.g., independent,
stereo, combined image, etc.), infrared (IR) sensors, radio
frequency (RF) sensors, ultrasonic sensors (e.g., transducers,
transceivers, etc.), RADAR sensors (e.g., object-detection sensors
and/or systems), LIDAR (Light Imaging, Detection, And Ranging)
systems, odometry sensors and/or devices (e.g., encoders, etc.),
orientation sensors (e.g., accelerometers, gyroscopes,
magnetometer, etc.), navigation sensors and systems (e.g., GPS,
etc.), and other ranging, imaging, and/or object-detecting sensors.
The sensors may be disposed in an interior space 150 of the vehicle
100 and/or on an outside of the vehicle 100. In some embodiments,
the sensors and systems may be disposed in one or more portions of
a vehicle 100 (e.g., the frame 104, a body panel, a compartment,
etc.).
[0023] The vehicle sensors and systems may be selected and/or
configured to suit a level of operation associated with the vehicle
100. Among other things, the number of sensors used in a system may
be altered to increase or decrease information available to a
vehicle control system (e.g., affecting control capabilities of the
vehicle 100). Additionally or alternatively, the sensors and
systems may be part of one or more advanced driver assistance
systems (ADAS) associated with a vehicle 100. In any event, the
sensors and systems may be used to provide driving assistance at
any level of operation (e.g., from fully-manual to fully-autonomous
operations, etc.) as described herein.
[0024] The various levels of vehicle control and/or operation can
be described as corresponding to a level of autonomy associated
with a vehicle 100 for vehicle driving operations. For instance, at
Level 0, or fully-manual driving operations, a driver (e.g., a
human driver) may be responsible for all the driving control
operations (e.g., steering, accelerating, braking, etc.) associated
with the vehicle. Level 0 may be referred to as a "No Automation"
level. At Level 1, the vehicle may be responsible for a limited
number of the driving operations associated with the vehicle, while
the driver is still responsible for most driving control
operations. An example of a Level 1 vehicle may include a vehicle
in which the throttle control and/or braking operations may be
controlled by the vehicle (e.g., cruise control operations, etc.).
Level 1 may be referred to as a "Driver Assistance" level. At Level
2, the vehicle may collect information (e.g., via one or more
driving assistance systems, sensors, etc.) about an environment of
the vehicle (e.g., surrounding area, roadway, traffic, ambient
conditions, etc.) and use the collected information to control
driving operations (e.g., steering, accelerating, braking, etc.)
associated with the vehicle. In a Level 2 autonomous vehicle, the
driver may be required to perform other aspects of driving
operations not controlled by the vehicle. Level 2 may be referred
to as a "Partial Automation" level. It should be appreciated that
Levels 0-2 all involve the driver monitoring the driving operations
of the vehicle.
[0025] At Level 3, the driver may be separated from controlling all
the driving operations of the vehicle except when the vehicle makes
a request for the operator to act or intervene in controlling one
or more driving operations. In other words, the driver may be
separated from controlling the vehicle unless the driver is
required to take over for the vehicle. Level 3 may be referred to
as a "Conditional Automation" level. At Level 4, the driver may be
separated from controlling all the driving operations of the
vehicle and the vehicle may control driving operations even when a
user fails to respond to a request to intervene. Level 4 may be
referred to as a "High Automation" level. At Level 5, the vehicle
can control all the driving operations associated with the vehicle
in all driving modes. The vehicle in Level 5 may continually
monitor traffic, vehicular, roadway, and/or environmental
conditions while driving the vehicle. In Level 5, there is no human
driver interaction required in any driving mode. Accordingly, Level
5 may be referred to as a "Full Automation" level. It should be
appreciated that in Levels 3-5 the vehicle, and/or one or more
automated driving systems associated with the vehicle, monitors the
driving operations of the vehicle and the driving environment.
[0026] As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle 100 may, for example,
include at least one of a ranging and imaging system 112 (e.g.,
LIDAR, etc.), an imaging sensor 116A, 116F (e.g., camera, IR,
etc.), a radio object-detection and ranging system sensors 116B
(e.g., RADAR, RF, etc.), ultrasonic sensors 116C, and/or other
object-detection sensors 116D, 116E. In some embodiments, the LIDAR
system 112 and/or sensors may be mounted on a roof 130 of the
vehicle 100. In one embodiment, the RADAR sensors 116B may be
disposed at least at a front 110, aft 120, or side 160 of the
vehicle 100. Among other things, the RADAR sensors may be used to
monitor and/or detect a position of other vehicles, pedestrians,
and/or other objects near, or proximal to, the vehicle 100. While
shown associated with one or more areas of a vehicle 100, it should
be appreciated that any of the sensors and systems 116A-K, 112
illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 may be disposed in, on, and/or about
the vehicle 100 in any position, area, and/or zone of the vehicle
100.
[0027] Referring now to FIG. 2, a plan view of a vehicle 100 will
be described in accordance with embodiments of the present
disclosure. In particular, FIG. 2 shows a vehicle sensing
environment 200 at least partially defined by the sensors and
systems 116A-K, 112 disposed in, on, and/or about the vehicle 100.
Each sensor 116A-K may include an operational detection range R and
operational detection angle. The operational detection range R may
define the effective detection limit, or distance, of the sensor
116A-K. In some cases, this effective detection limit may be
defined as a distance from a portion of the sensor 116A-K (e.g., a
lens, sensing surface, etc.) to a point in space offset from the
sensor 116A-K. The effective detection limit may define a distance,
beyond which, the sensing capabilities of the sensor 116A-K
deteriorate, fail to work, or are unreliable. In some embodiments,
the effective detection limit may define a distance, within which,
the sensing capabilities of the sensor 116A-K are able to provide
accurate and/or reliable detection information. The operational
detection angle may define at least one angle of a span, or between
horizontal and/or vertical limits, of a sensor 116A-K. As can be
appreciated, the operational detection limit and the operational
detection angle of a sensor 116A-K together may define the
effective detection zone 216A-D (e.g., the effective detection
area, and/or volume, etc.) of a sensor 116A-K.
[0028] In some embodiments, the vehicle 100 may include a ranging
and imaging system 112 such as LIDAR, or the like. The ranging and
imaging system 112 may be configured to detect visual information
in an environment surrounding the vehicle 100. The visual
information detected in the environment surrounding the ranging and
imaging system 112 may be processed (e.g., via one or more sensor
and/or system processors, etc.) to generate a complete 360-degree
view of an environment 200 around the vehicle. The ranging and
imaging system 112 may be configured to generate changing
360-degree views of the environment 200 in real-time, for instance,
as the vehicle 100 drives. In some cases, the ranging and imaging
system 112 may have an effective detection limit 204 that is some
distance from the center of the vehicle 100 outward over 360
degrees. The effective detection limit 204 of the ranging and
imaging system 112 defines a view zone 208 (e.g., an area and/or
volume, etc.) surrounding the vehicle 100. Any object falling
outside of the view zone 208 is in the undetected zone 212 and
would not be detected by the ranging and imaging system 112 of the
vehicle 100.
[0029] Sensor data and information may be collected by one or more
sensors or systems 116A-K, 112 of the vehicle 100 monitoring the
vehicle sensing environment 200. This information may be processed
(e.g., via a processor, computer-vision system, etc.) to determine
targets (e.g., objects, signs, people, markings, roadways,
conditions, etc.) inside one or more detection zones 208, 216A-D
associated with the vehicle sensing environment 200. In some cases,
information from multiple sensors 116A-K may be processed to form
composite sensor detection information. For example, a first sensor
116A and a second sensor 116F may correspond to a first camera 116A
and a second camera 116F aimed in a forward traveling direction of
the vehicle 100. In this example, images collected by the cameras
116A, 116F may be combined to form stereo image information. This
composite information may increase the capabilities of a single
sensor in the one or more sensors 116A-K by, for example, adding
the ability to determine depth associated with targets in the one
or more detection zones 208, 216A-D. Similar image data may be
collected by rear view cameras (e.g., sensors 116G, 116H) aimed in
a rearward traveling direction vehicle 100.
[0030] In some embodiments, multiple sensors 116A-K may be
effectively joined to increase a sensing zone and provide increased
sensing coverage. For instance, multiple RADAR sensors 116B
disposed on the front 110 of the vehicle may be joined to provide a
zone 216B of coverage that spans across an entirety of the front
110 of the vehicle. In some cases, the multiple RADAR sensors 116B
may cover a detection zone 216B that includes one or more other
sensor detection zones 216A. These overlapping detection zones may
provide redundant sensing, enhanced sensing, and/or provide greater
detail in sensing within a particular portion (e.g., zone 216A) of
a larger zone (e.g., zone 216B). Additionally or alternatively, the
sensors 116A-K of the vehicle 100 may be arranged to create a
complete coverage, via one or more sensing zones 208, 216A-D around
the vehicle 100. In some areas, the sensing zones 216C of two or
more sensors 116D, 116E may intersect at an overlap zone 220. In
some areas, the angle and/or detection limit of two or more sensing
zones 216C, 216D (e.g., of two or more sensors 116E, 116J, 116K)
may meet at a virtual intersection point 224.
[0031] The vehicle 100 may include a number of sensors 116E, 116G,
116H, 116J, 116K disposed proximal to the rear 120 of the vehicle
100. These sensors can include, but are in no way limited to, an
imaging sensor, camera, IR, a radio object-detection and ranging
sensors, RADAR, RF, ultrasonic sensors, and/or other
object-detection sensors. Among other things, these sensors 116E,
116G, 116H, 116J, 116K may detect targets near or approaching the
rear of the vehicle 100. For example, another vehicle approaching
the rear 120 of the vehicle 100 may be detected by one or more of
the ranging and imaging system (e.g., LIDAR) 112, rear-view cameras
116G, 116H, and/or rear facing RADAR sensors 116J, 116K. As
described above, the images from the rear-view cameras 116G, 116H
may be processed to generate a stereo view (e.g., providing depth
associated with an object or environment, etc.) for targets visible
to both cameras 116G, 116H. As another example, the vehicle 100 may
be driving and one or more of the ranging and imaging system 112,
front-facing cameras 116A, 116F, front-facing RADAR sensors 116B,
and/or ultrasonic sensors 116C may detect targets in front of the
vehicle 100. This approach may provide critical sensor information
to a vehicle control system in at least one of the autonomous
driving levels described above. For instance, when the vehicle 100
is driving autonomously (e.g., Level 3, Level 4, or Level 5) and
detects other vehicles stopped in a travel path, the sensor
detection information may be sent to the vehicle control system of
the vehicle 100 to control a driving operation (e.g., braking,
decelerating, etc.) associated with the vehicle 100 (in this
example, slowing the vehicle 100 as to avoid colliding with the
stopped other vehicles). As yet another example, the vehicle 100
may be operating and one or more of the ranging and imaging system
112, and/or the side-facing sensors 116D, 116E (e.g., RADAR,
ultrasonic, camera, combinations thereof, and/or other type of
sensor), may detect targets at a side of the vehicle 100. It should
be appreciated that the sensors 116A-K may detect a target that is
both at a side 160 and a front 110 of the vehicle 100 (e.g.,
disposed at a diagonal angle to a centerline of the vehicle 100
running from the front 110 of the vehicle 100 to the rear 120 of
the vehicle). Additionally or alternatively, the sensors 116A-K may
detect a target that is both, or simultaneously, at a side 160 and
a rear 120 of the vehicle 100 (e.g., disposed at a diagonal angle
to the centerline of the vehicle 100).
[0032] FIGS. 3A-3C are block diagrams of an embodiment of a
communication environment 300 of the vehicle 100 in accordance with
embodiments of the present disclosure. The communication system 300
may include one or more vehicle driving vehicle sensors and systems
304, sensor processors 340, sensor data memory 344, vehicle control
system 348, communications subsystem 350, control data 364,
computing devices 368, display devices 372, and other components
374 that may be associated with a vehicle 100. These associated
components may be electrically and/or communicatively coupled to
one another via at least one bus 360. In some embodiments, the one
or more associated components may send and/or receive signals
across a communication network 352 to at least one of a navigation
source 356A, a control source 356B, or some other entity 356N.
[0033] In accordance with at least some embodiments of the present
disclosure, the communication network 352 may comprise any type of
known communication medium or collection of communication media and
may use any type of protocols, such as SIP, TCP/IP, SNA, IPX,
AppleTalk, and the like, to transport messages between endpoints.
The communication network 352 may include wired and/or wireless
communication technologies. The Internet is an example of the
communication network 352 that constitutes an Internet Protocol
(IP) network consisting of many computers, computing networks, and
other communication devices located all over the world, which are
connected through many telephone systems and other means. Other
examples of the communication network 104 include, without
limitation, a standard Plain Old Telephone System (POTS), an
Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN), the Public Switched
Telephone Network (PSTN), a Local Area Network (LAN), such as an
Ethernet network, a Token-Ring network and/or the like, a Wide Area
Network (WAN), a virtual network, including without limitation a
virtual private network ("VPN"); the Internet, an intranet, an
extranet, a cellular network, an infra-red network; a wireless
network (e.g., a network operating under any of the IEEE 802.9
suite of protocols, the Bluetooth.RTM. protocol known in the art,
and/or any other wireless protocol), and any other type of
packet-switched or circuit-switched network known in the art and/or
any combination of these and/or other networks. In addition, it can
be appreciated that the communication network 352 need not be
limited to any one network type, and instead may be comprised of a
number of different networks and/or network types. The
communication network 352 may comprise a number of different
communication media such as coaxial cable, copper cable/wire,
fiber-optic cable, antennas for transmitting/receiving wireless
messages, and combinations thereof.
[0034] The driving vehicle sensors and systems 304 may include at
least one navigation 308 (e.g., global positioning system (GPS),
etc.), orientation 312, odometry 316, LIDAR 320, RADAR 324,
ultrasonic 328, camera 332, infrared (IR) 336, and/or other sensor
or system 338. These driving vehicle sensors and systems 304 may be
similar, if not identical, to the sensors and systems 116A-K, 112
described in conjunction with FIGS. 1 and 2.
[0035] The navigation sensor 308 may include one or more sensors
having receivers and antennas that are configured to utilize a
satellite-based navigation system including a network of navigation
satellites capable of providing geolocation and time information to
at least one component of the vehicle 100. Examples of the
navigation sensor 308 as described herein may include, but are not
limited to, at least one of Garmin.RTM. GLO.TM. family of GPS and
GLONASS combination sensors, Garmin.RTM. GPS 15x.TM. family of
sensors, Garmin.RTM. GPS 16x.TM. family of sensors with
high-sensitivity receiver and antenna, Garmin.RTM. GPS 18x OEM
family of high-sensitivity GPS sensors, Dewetron DEWE-VGPS series
of GPS sensors, GlobalSat 1-Hz series of GPS sensors, other
industry-equivalent navigation sensors and/or systems, and may
perform navigational and/or geolocation functions using any known
or future-developed standard and/or architecture.
[0036] The orientation sensor 312 may include one or more sensors
configured to determine an orientation of the vehicle 100 relative
to at least one reference point. In some embodiments, the
orientation sensor 312 may include at least one pressure
transducer, stress/strain gauge, accelerometer, gyroscope, and/or
geomagnetic sensor. Examples of the navigation sensor 308 as
described herein may include, but are not limited to, at least one
of Bosch Sensortec BMX 160 series low-power absolute orientation
sensors, Bosch Sensortec BMX055 9-axis sensors, Bosch Sensortec
BMI055 6-axis inertial sensors, Bosch Sensortec BMI160 6-axis
inertial sensors, Bosch Sensortec BMF055 9-axis inertial sensors
(accelerometer, gyroscope, and magnetometer) with integrated Cortex
M0+ microcontroller, Bosch Sensortec BMP280 absolute barometric
pressure sensors, Infineon TLV493D-A1B6 3D magnetic sensors,
Infineon TLI493D-W1B6 3D magnetic sensors, Infineon TL family of 3D
magnetic sensors, Murata Electronics SCC2000 series combined gyro
sensor and accelerometer, Murata Electronics SCC1300 series
combined gyro sensor and accelerometer, other industry-equivalent
orientation sensors and/or systems, which may perform orientation
detection and/or determination functions using any known or
future-developed standard and/or architecture.
[0037] The odometry sensor and/or system 316 may include one or
more components that is configured to determine a change in
position of the vehicle 100 over time. In some embodiments, the
odometry system 316 may utilize data from one or more other sensors
and/or systems 304 in determining a position (e.g., distance,
location, etc.) of the vehicle 100 relative to a previously
measured position for the vehicle 100. Additionally or
alternatively, the odometry sensors 316 may include one or more
encoders, Hall speed sensors, and/or other measurement
sensors/devices configured to measure a wheel speed, rotation,
and/or number of revolutions made over time. Examples of the
odometry sensor/system 316 as described herein may include, but are
not limited to, at least one of Infineon TLE4924/26/27/28C
high-performance speed sensors, Infineon TL4941plusC(B) single chip
differential Hall wheel-speed sensors, Infineon TL5041plusC Giant
Mangnetoresistance (GMR) effect sensors, Infineon TL family of
magnetic sensors, EPC Model 25SP Accu-CoderPro.TM. incremental
shaft encoders, EPC Model 30M compact incremental encoders with
advanced magnetic sensing and signal processing technology, EPC
Model 925 absolute shaft encoders, EPC Model 958 absolute shaft
encoders, EPC Model MA36S/MA63S/SA36S absolute shaft encoders,
Dynapar.TM. F18 commutating optical encoder, Dynapar.TM. HS35R
family of phased array encoder sensors, other industry-equivalent
odometry sensors and/or systems, and may perform change in position
detection and/or determination functions using any known or
future-developed standard and/or architecture.
[0038] The LIDAR sensor/system 320 may include one or more
components configured to measure distances to targets using laser
illumination. In some embodiments, the LIDAR sensor/system 320 may
provide 3D imaging data of an environment around the vehicle 100.
The imaging data may be processed to generate a full 360-degree
view of the environment around the vehicle 100. The LIDAR
sensor/system 320 may include a laser light generator configured to
generate a plurality of target illumination laser beams (e.g.,
laser light channels). In some embodiments, this plurality of laser
beams may be aimed at, or directed to, a rotating reflective
surface (e.g., a mirror) and guided outwardly from the LIDAR
sensor/system 320 into a measurement environment. The rotating
reflective surface may be configured to continually rotate 360
degrees about an axis, such that the plurality of laser beams is
directed in a full 360-degree range around the vehicle 100. A
photodiode receiver of the LIDAR sensor/system 320 may detect when
light from the plurality of laser beams emitted into the
measurement environment returns (e.g., reflected echo) to the LIDAR
sensor/system 320. The LIDAR sensor/system 320 may calculate, based
on a time associated with the emission of light to the detected
return of light, a distance from the vehicle 100 to the illuminated
target. In some embodiments, the LIDAR sensor/system 320 may
generate over 2.0 million points per second and have an effective
operational range of at least 100 meters. Examples of the LIDAR
sensor/system 320 as described herein may include, but are not
limited to, at least one of Velodyne.RTM. LiDAR.TM. HDL-64E
64-channel LIDAR sensors, Velodyne.RTM. LiDAR.TM. HDL-32E
32-channel LIDAR sensors, Velodyne.RTM. LiDAR.TM. PUCK.TM. VLP-16
16-channel LIDAR sensors, Leica Geosystems Pegasus:Two mobile
sensor platform, Garmin.RTM. LIDAR-Lite v3 measurement sensor,
Quanergy M8 LiDAR sensors, Quanergy S3 solid state LiDAR sensor,
LeddarTech.RTM. LeddarVU compact solid state fixed-beam LIDAR
sensors, other industry-equivalent LIDAR sensors and/or systems,
and may perform illuminated target and/or obstacle detection in an
environment around the vehicle 100 using any known or
future-developed standard and/or architecture.
[0039] The RADAR sensors 324 may include one or more radio
components that are configured to detect objects/targets in an
environment of the vehicle 100. In some embodiments, the RADAR
sensors 324 may determine a distance, position, and/or movement
vector (e.g., angle, speed, etc.) associated with a target over
time. The RADAR sensors 324 may include a transmitter configured to
generate and emit electromagnetic waves (e.g., radio, microwaves,
etc.) and a receiver configured to detect returned electromagnetic
waves. In some embodiments, the RADAR sensors 324 may include at
least one processor configured to interpret the returned
electromagnetic waves and determine locational properties of
targets. Examples of the RADAR sensors 324 as described herein may
include, but are not limited to, at least one of Infineon RASIC.TM.
RTN7735PL transmitter and RRN7745PL/46PL receiver sensors, Autoliv
ASP Vehicle RADAR sensors, Delphi L2C0051TR 77 GHz ESR
Electronically Scanning Radar sensors, Fujitsu Ten Ltd. Automotive
Compact 77 GHz 3D Electronic Scan Millimeter Wave Radar sensors,
other industry-equivalent RADAR sensors and/or systems, and may
perform radio target and/or obstacle detection in an environment
around the vehicle 100 using any known or future-developed standard
and/or architecture.
[0040] The ultrasonic sensors 328 may include one or more
components that are configured to detect objects/targets in an
environment of the vehicle 100. In some embodiments, the ultrasonic
sensors 328 may determine a distance, position, and/or movement
vector (e.g., angle, speed, etc.) associated with a target over
time. The ultrasonic sensors 328 may include an ultrasonic
transmitter and receiver, or transceiver, configured to generate
and emit ultrasound waves and interpret returned echoes of those
waves. In some embodiments, the ultrasonic sensors 328 may include
at least one processor configured to interpret the returned
ultrasonic waves and determine locational properties of targets.
Examples of the ultrasonic sensors 328 as described herein may
include, but are not limited to, at least one of Texas Instruments
TIDA-00151 automotive ultrasonic sensor interface IC sensors,
MaxBotix.RTM. MB8450 ultrasonic proximity sensor, MaxBotix.RTM.
ParkSonar.TM.-EZ ultrasonic proximity sensors, Murata Electronics
MA40H1S-R open-structure ultrasonic sensors, Murata Electronics
MA40S4R/S open-structure ultrasonic sensors, Murata Electronics
MA58MF14-7N waterproof ultrasonic sensors, other
industry-equivalent ultrasonic sensors and/or systems, and may
perform ultrasonic target and/or obstacle detection in an
environment around the vehicle 100 using any known or
future-developed standard and/or architecture.
[0041] The camera sensors 332 may include one or more components
configured to detect image information associated with an
environment of the vehicle 100. In some embodiments, the camera
sensors 332 may include a lens, filter, image sensor, and/or a
digital image processer. It is an aspect of the present disclosure
that multiple camera sensors 332 may be used together to generate
stereo images providing depth measurements. Examples of the camera
sensors 332 as described herein may include, but are not limited
to, at least one of ON Semiconductor.RTM. MT9V024 Global Shutter
VGA GS CMOS image sensors, Teledyne DALSA Falcon2 camera sensors,
CMOSIS CMV50000 high-speed CMOS image sensors, other
industry-equivalent camera sensors and/or systems, and may perform
visual target and/or obstacle detection in an environment around
the vehicle 100 using any known or future-developed standard and/or
architecture.
[0042] The infrared (IR) sensors 336 may include one or more
components configured to detect image information associated with
an environment of the vehicle 100. The IR sensors 336 may be
configured to detect targets in low-light, dark, or poorly-lit
environments. The IR sensors 336 may include an IR light emitting
element (e.g., IR light emitting diode (LED), etc.) and an IR
photodiode. In some embodiments, the IR photodiode may be
configured to detect returned IR light at or about the same
wavelength to that emitted by the IR light emitting element. In
some embodiments, the IR sensors 336 may include at least one
processor configured to interpret the returned IR light and
determine locational properties of targets. The IR sensors 336 may
be configured to detect and/or measure a temperature associated
with a target (e.g., an object, pedestrian, other vehicle, etc.).
Examples of IR sensors 336 as described herein may include, but are
not limited to, at least one of Opto Diode lead-salt IR array
sensors, Opto Diode OD-850 Near-IR LED sensors, Opto Diode
SA/SHA727 steady state IR emitters and IR detectors, FLIR.RTM. LS
microbolometer sensors, FLIR.RTM. TacFLIR 380-HD InSb MWIR FPA and
HD MWIR thermal sensors, FLIR.RTM. VOx 640.times.480 pixel detector
sensors, Delphi IR sensors, other industry-equivalent IR sensors
and/or systems, and may perform IR visual target and/or obstacle
detection in an environment around the vehicle 100 using any known
or future-developed standard and/or architecture.
[0043] The vehicle 100 can also include one or more interior
sensors 337. Interior sensors 337 can measure characteristics of
the inside environment of the vehicle 100. The interior sensors 337
may be as described in conjunction with FIG. 3B.
[0044] A navigation system 302 can include any hardware and/or
software used to navigate the vehicle either manually or
autonomously. The navigation system 302 may be as described in
conjunction with FIG. 3C.
[0045] In some embodiments, the driving vehicle sensors and systems
304 may include other sensors 338 and/or combinations of the
sensors 306-337 described above. Additionally or alternatively, one
or more of the sensors 306-337 described above may include one or
more processors configured to process and/or interpret signals
detected by the one or more sensors 306-337. In some embodiments,
the processing of at least some sensor information provided by the
vehicle sensors and systems 304 may be processed by at least one
sensor processor 340. Raw and/or processed sensor data may be
stored in a sensor data memory 344 storage medium. In some
embodiments, the sensor data memory 344 may store instructions used
by the sensor processor 340 for processing sensor information
provided by the sensors and systems 304. In any event, the sensor
data memory 344 may be a disk drive, optical storage device,
solid-state storage device such as a random access memory ("RAM")
and/or a read-only memory ("ROM"), which can be programmable,
flash-updateable, and/or the like.
[0046] The vehicle control system 348 may receive processed sensor
information from the sensor processor 340 and determine to control
an aspect of the vehicle 100. Controlling an aspect of the vehicle
100 may include presenting information via one or more display
devices 372 associated with the vehicle, sending commands to one or
more computing devices 368 associated with the vehicle, and/or
controlling a driving operation of the vehicle. In some
embodiments, the vehicle control system 348 may correspond to one
or more computing systems that control driving operations of the
vehicle 100 in accordance with the Levels of driving autonomy
described above. In one embodiment, the vehicle control system 348
may operate a speed of the vehicle 100 by controlling an output
signal to the accelerator and/or braking system of the vehicle. In
this example, the vehicle control system 348 may receive sensor
data describing an environment surrounding the vehicle 100 and,
based on the sensor data received, determine to adjust the
acceleration, power output, and/or braking of the vehicle 100. The
vehicle control system 348 may additionally control steering and/or
other driving functions of the vehicle 100.
[0047] The vehicle control system 348 may communicate, in
real-time, with the driving sensors and systems 304 forming a
feedback loop. In particular, upon receiving sensor information
describing a condition of targets in the environment surrounding
the vehicle 100, the vehicle control system 348 may autonomously
make changes to a driving operation of the vehicle 100. The vehicle
control system 348 may then receive subsequent sensor information
describing any change to the condition of the targets detected in
the environment as a result of the changes made to the driving
operation. This continual cycle of observation (e.g., via the
sensors, etc.) and action (e.g., selected control or non-control of
vehicle operations, etc.) allows the vehicle 100 to operate
autonomously in the environment.
[0048] In some embodiments, the one or more components of the
vehicle 100 (e.g., the driving vehicle sensors 304, vehicle control
system 348, display devices 372, etc.) may communicate across the
communication network 352 to one or more entities 356A-N via a
communications subsystem 350 of the vehicle 100. Embodiments of the
communications subsystem 350 are described in greater detail in
conjunction with FIG. 5. For instance, the navigation sensors 308
may receive global positioning, location, and/or navigational
information from a navigation source 356A. In some embodiments, the
navigation source 356A may be a global navigation satellite system
(GNSS) similar, if not identical, to NAVSTAR GPS, GLONASS, EU
Galileo, and/or the BeiDou Navigation Satellite System (BDS) to
name a few.
[0049] In some embodiments, the vehicle control system 348 may
receive control information from one or more control sources 356B.
The control source 356 may provide vehicle control information
including autonomous driving control commands, vehicle operation
override control commands, and the like. The control source 356 may
correspond to an autonomous vehicle control system, a traffic
control system, an administrative control entity, and/or some other
controlling server. It is an aspect of the present disclosure that
the vehicle control system 348 and/or other components of the
vehicle 100 may exchange communications with the control source 356
across the communication network 352 and via the communications
subsystem 350.
[0050] Information associated with controlling driving operations
of the vehicle 100 may be stored in a control data memory 364
storage medium. The control data memory 364 may store instructions
used by the vehicle control system 348 for controlling driving
operations of the vehicle 100, historical control information,
autonomous driving control rules, and the like. In some
embodiments, the control data memory 364 may be a disk drive,
optical storage device, solid-state storage device such as a random
access memory ("RAM") and/or a read-only memory ("ROM"), which can
be programmable, flash-updateable, and/or the like.
[0051] In addition to the mechanical components described herein,
the vehicle 100 may include a number of user interface devices. The
user interface devices receive and translate human input into a
mechanical movement or electrical signal or stimulus. The human
input may be one or more of motion (e.g., body movement, body part
movement, in two-dimensional or three-dimensional space, etc.),
voice, touch, and/or physical interaction with the components of
the vehicle 100. In some embodiments, the human input may be
configured to control one or more functions of the vehicle 100
and/or systems of the vehicle 100 described herein. User interfaces
may include, but are in no way limited to, at least one graphical
user interface of a display device, steering wheel or mechanism,
transmission lever or button (e.g., including park, neutral,
reverse, and/or drive positions, etc.), throttle control pedal or
mechanism, brake control pedal or mechanism, power control switch,
communications equipment, etc.
[0052] FIG. 3B shows a block diagram of an embodiment of interior
sensors 337 for a vehicle 100. The interior sensors 337 may be
arranged into one or more groups, based at least partially on the
function of the interior sensors 337. For example, the interior
space of a vehicle 100 may include environmental sensors, user
interface sensor(s), and/or safety sensors. Additionally or
alternatively, there may be sensors associated with various devices
inside the vehicle (e.g., smartphones, tablets, mobile computers,
wearables, etc.)
[0053] Environmental sensors may comprise sensors configured to
collect data relating to the internal environment of a vehicle 100.
Examples of environmental sensors may include one or more of, but
are not limited to: oxygen/air sensors 301, temperature sensors
303, humidity sensors 305, light/photo sensors 307, and more. The
oxygen/air sensors 301 may be configured to detect a quality or
characteristic of the air in the interior space 108 of the vehicle
100 (e.g., ratios and/or types of gasses comprising the air inside
the vehicle 100, dangerous gas levels, safe gas levels, etc.).
Temperature sensors 303 may be configured to detect temperature
readings of one or more objects, users 216, and/or areas of a
vehicle 100. Humidity sensors 305 may detect an amount of water
vapor present in the air inside the vehicle 100. The light/photo
sensors 307 can detect an amount of light present in the vehicle
100. Further, the light/photo sensors 307 may be configured to
detect various levels of light intensity associated with light in
the vehicle 100.
[0054] User interface sensors may comprise sensors configured to
collect data relating to one or more users (e.g., a driver and/or
passenger(s)) in a vehicle 100. As can be appreciated, the user
interface sensors may include sensors that are configured to
collect data from users 216 in one or more areas of the vehicle
100. Examples of user interface sensors may include one or more of,
but are not limited to: infrared sensors 309, motion sensors 311,
weight sensors 313, wireless network sensors 315, biometric sensors
317, camera (or image) sensors 319, audio sensors 321, and
more.
[0055] Infrared sensors 309 may be used to measure IR light
irradiating from at least one surface, user, or other object in the
vehicle 100. Among other things, the Infrared sensors 309 may be
used to measure temperatures, form images (especially in low light
conditions), identify users 216, and even detect motion in the
vehicle 100.
[0056] The motion sensors 311 may detect motion and/or movement of
objects inside the vehicle 104. Optionally, the motion sensors 311
may be used alone or in combination to detect movement. For
example, a user may be operating a vehicle 100 (e.g., while
driving, etc.) when a passenger in the rear of the vehicle 100
unbuckles a safety belt and proceeds to move about the vehicle 10.
In this example, the movement of the passenger could be detected by
the motion sensors 311. In response to detecting the movement
and/or the direction associated with the movement, the passenger
may be prevented from interfacing with and/or accessing at least
some of the vehicle control features. As can be appreciated, the
user may be alerted of the movement/motion such that the user can
act to prevent the passenger from interfering with the vehicle
controls. Optionally, the number of motion sensors in a vehicle may
be increased to increase an accuracy associated with motion
detected in the vehicle 100.
[0057] Weight sensors 313 may be employed to collect data relating
to objects and/or users in various areas of the vehicle 100. In
some cases, the weight sensors 313 may be included in the seats
and/or floor of a vehicle 100. Optionally, the vehicle 100 may
include a wireless network sensor 315. This sensor 315 may be
configured to detect one or more wireless network(s) inside the
vehicle 100. Examples of wireless networks may include, but are not
limited to, wireless communications utilizing Bluetooth.RTM.,
Wi-Fi.TM., ZigBee, IEEE 802.11, and other wireless technology
standards. For example, a mobile hotspot may be detected inside the
vehicle 100 via the wireless network sensor 315. In this case, the
vehicle 100 may determine to utilize and/or share the mobile
hotspot detected via/with one or more other devices associated with
the vehicle 100.
[0058] Biometric sensors 317 may be employed to identify and/or
record characteristics associated with a user. It is anticipated
that biometric sensors 317 can include at least one of image
sensors, IR sensors, fingerprint readers, weight sensors, load
cells, force transducers, heart rate monitors, blood pressure
monitors, and the like as provided herein.
[0059] The camera sensors 319 may record still images, video,
and/or combinations thereof. Camera sensors 319 may be used alone
or in combination to identify objects, users, and/or other
features, inside the vehicle 100. Two or more camera sensors 319
may be used in combination to form, among other things, stereo
and/or three-dimensional (3D) images. The stereo images can be
recorded and/or used to determine depth associated with objects
and/or users in a vehicle 100. Further, the camera sensors 319 used
in combination may determine the complex geometry associated with
identifying characteristics of a user. For example, the camera
sensors 319 may be used to determine dimensions between various
features of a user's face (e.g., the depth/distance from a user's
nose to a user's cheeks, a linear distance between the center of a
user's eyes, and more). These dimensions may be used to verify,
record, and even modify characteristics that serve to identify a
user. The camera sensors 319 may also be used to determine movement
associated with objects and/or users within the vehicle 100. It
should be appreciated that the number of image sensors used in a
vehicle 100 may be increased to provide greater dimensional
accuracy and/or views of a detected image in the vehicle 100.
[0060] The audio sensors 321 may be configured to receive audio
input from a user of the vehicle 100. The audio input from a user
may correspond to voice commands, conversations detected in the
vehicle 100, phone calls made in the vehicle 100, and/or other
audible expressions made in the vehicle 100. Audio sensors 321 may
include, but are not limited to, microphones and other types of
acoustic-to-electric transducers or sensors. Optionally, the
interior audio sensors 321 may be configured to receive and convert
sound waves into an equivalent analog or digital signal. The
interior audio sensors 321 may serve to determine one or more
locations associated with various sounds in the vehicle 100. The
location of the sounds may be determined based on a comparison of
volume levels, intensity, and the like, between sounds detected by
two or more interior audio sensors 321. For instance, a first audio
sensors 321 may be located in a first area of the vehicle 100 and a
second audio sensors 321 may be located in a second area of the
vehicle 100. If a sound is detected at a first volume level by the
first audio sensors 321 A and a second, higher, volume level by the
second audio sensors 321 in the second area of the vehicle 100, the
sound may be determined to be closer to the second area of the
vehicle 100. As can be appreciated, the number of sound receivers
used in a vehicle 100 may be increased (e.g., more than two, etc.)
to increase measurement accuracy surrounding sound detection and
location, or source, of the sound (e.g., via triangulation,
etc.).
[0061] The safety sensors may comprise sensors configured to
collect data relating to the safety of a user and/or one or more
components of a vehicle 100. Examples of safety sensors may include
one or more of, but are not limited to: force sensors 325,
mechanical motion sensors 327, orientation sensors 329, restraint
sensors 331, and more.
[0062] The force sensors 325 may include one or more sensors inside
the vehicle 100 configured to detect a force observed in the
vehicle 100. One example of a force sensor 325 may include a force
transducer that converts measured forces (e.g., force, weight,
pressure, etc.) into output signals. Mechanical motion sensors 327
may correspond to encoders, accelerometers, damped masses, and the
like. Optionally, the mechanical motion sensors 327 may be adapted
to measure the force of gravity (i.e., G-force) as observed inside
the vehicle 100. Measuring the G-force observed inside a vehicle
100 can provide valuable information related to a vehicle's
acceleration, deceleration, collisions, and/or forces that may have
been suffered by one or more users in the vehicle 100. Orientation
sensors 329 can include accelerometers, gyroscopes, magnetic
sensors, and the like that are configured to detect an orientation
associated with the vehicle 100.
[0063] The restraint sensors 331 may correspond to sensors
associated with one or more restraint devices and/or systems in a
vehicle 100. Seatbelts and airbags are examples of restraint
devices and/or systems. As can be appreciated, the restraint
devices and/or systems may be associated with one or more sensors
that are configured to detect a state of the device/system. The
state may include extension, engagement, retraction, disengagement,
deployment, and/or other electrical or mechanical conditions
associated with the device/system.
[0064] The associated device sensors 323 can include any sensors
that are associated with a device in the vehicle 100. As previously
stated, typical devices may include smartphones, tablets, laptops,
mobile computers, and the like. It is anticipated that the various
sensors associated with these devices can be employed by the
vehicle control system 348. For example, a typical smartphone can
include, an image sensor, an IR sensor, audio sensor, gyroscope,
accelerometer, wireless network sensor, fingerprint reader, and
more. It is an aspect of the present disclosure that one or more of
these associated device sensors 323 may be used by one or more
subsystems of the vehicle 100.
[0065] FIG. 3C illustrates a GPS/Navigation subsystem(s) 302. The
navigation subsystem(s) 302 can be any present or future-built
navigation system that may use location data, for example, from the
Global Positioning System (GPS), to provide navigation information
or control the vehicle 100. The navigation subsystem(s) 302 can
include several components, such as, one or more of, but not
limited to: a GPS Antenna/receiver 331, a location module 333, a
maps database 335, etc. Generally, the several components or
modules 331-335 may be hardware, software, firmware, computer
readable media, or combinations thereof.
[0066] A GPS Antenna/receiver 331 can be any antenna, GPS puck,
and/or receiver capable of receiving signals from a GPS satellite
or other navigation system. The signals may be demodulated,
converted, interpreted, etc. by the GPS Antenna/receiver 331 and
provided to the location module 333. Thus, the GPS Antenna/receiver
331 may convert the time signals from the GPS system and provide a
location (e.g., coordinates on a map) to the location module 333.
Alternatively, the location module 333 can interpret the time
signals into coordinates or other location information.
[0067] The location module 333 can be the controller of the
satellite navigation system designed for use in the vehicle 100.
The location module 333 can acquire position data, as from the GPS
Antenna/receiver 331, to locate the user or vehicle 100 on a road
in the unit's map database 335. Using the road database 335, the
location module 333 can give directions to other locations along
roads also in the database 335. When a GPS signal is not available,
the location module 333 may apply dead reckoning to estimate
distance data from sensors 304 including one or more of, but not
limited to, a speed sensor attached to the drive train of the
vehicle 100, a gyroscope, an accelerometer, etc. Additionally or
alternatively, the location module 333 may use known locations of
Wi-Fi hotspots, cell tower data, etc. to determine the position of
the vehicle 100, such as by using time difference of arrival (TDOA)
and/or frequency difference of arrival (FDOA) techniques.
[0068] The maps database 335 can include any hardware and/or
software to store information about maps, geographical information
system (GIS) information, location information, etc. The maps
database 335 can include any data definition or other structure to
store the information. Generally, the maps database 335 can include
a road database that may include one or more vector maps of areas
of interest. Street names, street numbers, house numbers, and other
information can be encoded as geographic coordinates so that the
user can find some desired destination by street address. Points of
interest (waypoints) can also be stored with their geographic
coordinates. For example, a point of interest may include speed
cameras, fuel stations, public parking, and "parked here" (or "you
parked here") information. The maps database 335 may also include
road or street characteristics, for example, speed limits, location
of stop lights/stop signs, lane divisions, school locations, etc.
The map database contents can be produced or updated by a server
connected through a wireless system in communication with the
Internet, even as the vehicle 100 is driven along existing streets,
yielding an up-to-date map.
[0069] FIG. 4 shows one embodiment of the instrument panel 400 of
the vehicle 100. The instrument panel 400 of vehicle 100 comprises
a steering wheel 410, a vehicle operational display 420 (e.g.,
configured to present and/or display driving data such as speed,
measured air resistance, vehicle information, entertainment
information, etc.), one or more auxiliary displays 424 (e.g.,
configured to present and/or display information segregated from
the operational display 420, entertainment applications, movies,
music, etc.), a heads-up display 434 (e.g., configured to display
any information previously described including, but in no way
limited to, guidance information such as route to destination, or
obstacle warning information to warn of a potential collision, or
some or all primary vehicle operational data such as speed,
resistance, etc.), a power management display 428 (e.g., configured
to display data corresponding to electric power levels of vehicle
100, reserve power, charging status, etc.), and an input device 432
(e.g., a controller, touchscreen, or other interface device
configured to interface with one or more displays in the instrument
panel or components of the vehicle 100. The input device 432 may be
configured as a joystick, mouse, touchpad, tablet, 3D gesture
capture device, etc.). In some embodiments, the input device 432
may be used to manually maneuver a portion of the vehicle 100 into
a charging position (e.g., moving a charging plate to a desired
separation distance, etc.).
[0070] While one or more of displays of instrument panel 400 may be
touch-screen displays, it should be appreciated that the vehicle
operational display may be a display incapable of receiving touch
input. For instance, the operational display 420 that spans across
an interior space centerline 404 and across both a first zone 408A
and a second zone 408B may be isolated from receiving input from
touch, especially from a passenger. In some cases, a display that
provides vehicle operation or critical systems information and
interface may be restricted from receiving touch input and/or be
configured as a non-touch display. This type of configuration can
prevent dangerous mistakes in providing touch input where such
input may cause an accident or unwanted control.
[0071] In some embodiments, one or more displays of the instrument
panel 400 may be mobile devices and/or applications residing on a
mobile device such as a smartphone. Additionally or alternatively,
any of the information described herein may be presented to one or
more portions 420A-N of the operational display 420 or other
display 424, 428, 434. In one embodiment, one or more displays of
the instrument panel 400 may be physically separated or detached
from the instrument panel 400. In some cases, a detachable display
may remain tethered to the instrument panel.
[0072] The portions 420A-N of the operational display 420 may be
dynamically reconfigured and/or resized to suit any display of
information as described. Additionally or alternatively, the number
of portions 420A-N used to visually present information via the
operational display 420 may be dynamically increased or decreased
as required, and are not limited to the configurations shown.
[0073] FIG. 5 illustrates a hardware diagram of communications
componentry that can be optionally associated with the vehicle 100
in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0074] The communications componentry can include one or more wired
or wireless devices such as a transceiver(s) and/or modem that
allows communications not only between the various systems
disclosed herein but also with other devices, such as devices on a
network, and/or on a distributed network such as the Internet
and/or in the cloud and/or with other vehicle(s).
[0075] The communications subsystem 350 can also include inter- and
intra-vehicle communications capabilities such as hotspot and/or
access point connectivity for any one or more of the vehicle
occupants and/or vehicle-to-vehicle communications.
[0076] Additionally, and while not specifically illustrated, the
communications subsystem 350 can include one or more communications
links (that can be wired or wireless) and/or communications busses
(managed by the bus manager 574), including one or more of CANbus,
OBD-II, ARCINC 429, Byteflight, CAN (Controller Area Network), D2B
(Domestic Digital Bus), FlexRay, DC-BUS, IDB-1394, IEBus, I2C, ISO
9141-1/-2, J1708, J1587, J1850, J1939, ISO 11783, Keyword Protocol
2000, LIN (Local Interconnect Network), MOST (Media Oriented
Systems Transport), Multifunction Vehicle Bus, SMARTwireX, SPI, VAN
(Vehicle Area Network), and the like or in general any
communications protocol and/or standard(s).
[0077] The various protocols and communications can be communicated
one or more of wirelessly and/or over transmission media such as
single wire, twisted pair, fiber optic, IEEE 1394, MIL-STD-1553,
MIL-STD-1773, power-line communication, or the like. (All of the
above standards and protocols are incorporated herein by reference
in their entirety).
[0078] As discussed, the communications subsystem 350 enables
communications between any of the inter-vehicle systems and
subsystems as well as communications with non-collocated resources,
such as those reachable over a network such as the Internet.
[0079] The communications subsystem 350, in addition to well-known
componentry (which has been omitted for clarity), includes
interconnected elements including one or more of: one or more
antennas 504, an interleaver/deinterleaver 508, an analog front end
(AFE) 512, memory/storage/cache 516, controller/microprocessor 520,
MAC circuitry 522, modulator/demodulator 524, encoder/decoder 528,
a plurality of connectivity managers 534, 558, 562, 566, GPU 540,
accelerator 544, a multiplexer/demultiplexer 552, transmitter 570,
receiver 572 and additional wireless radio components such as a
Wi-Fi PHY/Bluetooth.RTM. module 580, a Wi-Fi/BT MAC module 584,
additional transmitter(s) 588 and additional receiver(s) 592. The
various elements in the device 350 are connected by one or more
links/busses 5 (not shown, again for sake of clarity).
[0080] The device 350 can have one more antennas 504, for use in
wireless communications such as multi-input multi-output (MIMO)
communications, multi-user multi-input multi-output (MU-MIMO)
communications Bluetooth.RTM., LTE, 4G, 5G, Near-Field
Communication (NFC), etc., and in general for any type of wireless
communications. The antenna(s) 504 can include, but are not limited
to one or more of directional antennas, omnidirectional antennas,
monopoles, patch antennas, loop antennas, microstrip antennas,
dipoles, and any other antenna(s) suitable for communication
transmission/reception. In an exemplary embodiment,
transmission/reception using MIMO may require particular antenna
spacing. In another exemplary embodiment, MIMO
transmission/reception can enable spatial diversity allowing for
different channel characteristics at each of the antennas. In yet
another embodiment, MIMO transmission/reception can be used to
distribute resources to multiple users for example within the
vehicle 100 and/or in another vehicle.
[0081] Antenna(s) 504 generally interact with the Analog Front End
(AFE) 512, which is needed to enable the correct processing of the
received modulated signal and signal conditioning for a transmitted
signal. The AFE 512 can be functionally located between the antenna
and a digital baseband system in order to convert the analog signal
into a digital signal for processing and vice-versa.
[0082] The subsystem 350 can also include a
controller/microprocessor 520 and a memory/storage/cache 516. The
subsystem 350 can interact with the memory/storage/cache 516 which
may store information and operations necessary for configuring and
transmitting or receiving the information described herein. The
memory/storage/cache 516 may also be used in connection with the
execution of application programming or instructions by the
controller/microprocessor 520, and for temporary or long term
storage of program instructions and/or data. As examples, the
memory/storage/cache 520 may comprise a computer-readable device,
RAM, ROM, DRAM, SDRAM, and/or other storage device(s) and
media.
[0083] The controller/microprocessor 520 may comprise a general
purpose programmable processor or controller for executing
application programming or instructions related to the subsystem
350. Furthermore, the controller/microprocessor 520 can perform
operations for configuring and transmitting/receiving information
as described herein. The controller/microprocessor 520 may include
multiple processor cores, and/or implement multiple virtual
processors. Optionally, the controller/microprocessor 520 may
include multiple physical processors. By way of example, the
controller/microprocessor 520 may comprise a specially configured
Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) or other integrated
circuit, a digital signal processor(s), a controller, a hardwired
electronic or logic circuit, a programmable logic device or gate
array, a special purpose computer, or the like.
[0084] The subsystem 350 can further include a transmitter(s) 570,
588 and receiver(s) 572, 592 which can transmit and receive
signals, respectively, to and from other devices, subsystems and/or
other destinations using the one or more antennas 504 and/or
links/busses. Included in the subsystem 350 circuitry is the medium
access control or MAC Circuitry 522. MAC circuitry 522 provides for
controlling access to the wireless medium. In an exemplary
embodiment, the MAC circuitry 522 may be arranged to contend for
the wireless medium and configure frames or packets for
communicating over the wired/wireless medium.
[0085] The subsystem 350 can also optionally contain a security
module (not shown). This security module can contain information
regarding but not limited to, security parameters required to
connect the device to one or more other devices or other available
network(s), and can include WEP or WPA/WPA-2 (optionally+AES and/or
TKIP) security access keys, network keys, etc. The WEP security
access key is a security password used by Wi-Fi networks. Knowledge
of this code can enable a wireless device to exchange information
with an access point and/or another device. The information
exchange can occur through encoded messages with the WEP access
code often being chosen by the network administrator. WPA is an
added security standard that is also used in conjunction with
network connectivity with stronger encryption than WEP.
[0086] In some embodiments, the communications subsystem 350 also
includes a GPU 540, an accelerator 544, a Wi-Fi/BT/BLE
(Bluetooth.RTM. Low-Energy) PHY module 580 and a Wi-Fi/BT/BLE MAC
module 584 and optional wireless transmitter 588 and optional
wireless receiver 592. In some embodiments, the GPU 540 may be a
graphics processing unit, or visual processing unit, comprising at
least one circuit and/or chip that manipulates and changes memory
to accelerate the creation of images in a frame buffer for output
to at least one display device. The GPU 540 may include one or more
of a display device connection port, printed circuit board (PCB), a
GPU chip, a metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor
(MOSFET), memory (e.g., single data rate random-access memory
(SDRAM), double data rate random-access memory (DDR) RAM, etc.,
and/or combinations thereof), a secondary processing chip (e.g.,
handling video out capabilities, processing, and/or other functions
in addition to the GPU chip, etc.), a capacitor, heatsink,
temperature control or cooling fan, motherboard connection,
shielding, and the like.
[0087] The various connectivity managers 534, 558, 562, 566 manage
and/or coordinate communications between the subsystem 350 and one
or more of the systems disclosed herein and one or more other
devices/systems. The connectivity managers 534, 558, 562, 566
include a charging connectivity manager 534, a vehicle database
connectivity manager 558, a remote operating system connectivity
manager 562, and a sensor connectivity manager 566.
[0088] The charging connectivity manager 534 can coordinate not
only the physical connectivity between the vehicle 100 and a
charging device/vehicle, but can also communicate with one or more
of a power management controller, one or more third parties and
optionally a billing system(s). As an example, the vehicle 100 can
establish communications with the charging device/vehicle to one or
more of coordinate interconnectivity between the two (e.g., by
spatially aligning the charging receptacle on the vehicle with the
charger on the charging vehicle) and optionally share navigation
information. Once charging is complete, the amount of charge
provided can be tracked and optionally forwarded to, for example, a
third party for billing. In addition to being able to manage
connectivity for the exchange of power, the charging connectivity
manager 534 can also communicate information, such as billing
information to the charging vehicle and/or a third party. This
billing information could be, for example, the owner of the
vehicle, the driver/occupant(s) of the vehicle, company
information, or in general any information usable to charge the
appropriate entity for the power received.
[0089] The vehicle database connectivity manager 558 allows the
subsystem to receive and/or share information stored in the vehicle
database. This information can be shared with other vehicle
components/subsystems and/or other entities, such as third parties
and/or charging systems. The information can also be shared with
one or more vehicle occupant devices, such as an app (application)
on a mobile device the driver uses to track information about the
vehicle 100 and/or a dealer or service/maintenance provider. In
general, any information stored in the vehicle database can
optionally be shared with any one or more other devices optionally
subject to any privacy or confidentially restrictions.
[0090] The remote operating system connectivity manager 562
facilitates communications between the vehicle 100 and any one or
more autonomous vehicle systems. These communications can include
one or more of navigation information, vehicle information, other
vehicle information, weather information, occupant information, or
in general any information related to the remote operation of the
vehicle 100.
[0091] The sensor connectivity manager 566 facilitates
communications between any one or more of the vehicle sensors
(e.g., the driving vehicle sensors and systems 304, etc.) and any
one or more of the other vehicle systems. The sensor connectivity
manager 566 can also facilitate communications between any one or
more of the sensors and/or vehicle systems and any other
destination, such as a service company, app, or in general to any
destination where sensor data is needed.
[0092] In accordance with one exemplary embodiment, any of the
communications discussed herein can be communicated via the
conductor(s) used for charging. One exemplary protocol usable for
these communications is Power-line communication (PLC). PLC is a
communication protocol that uses electrical wiring to
simultaneously carry both data, and Alternating Current (AC)
electric power transmission or electric power distribution. It is
also known as power-line carrier, power-line digital subscriber
line (PDSL), mains communication, power-line telecommunications, or
power-line networking (PLN). For DC environments in vehicles PLC
can be used in conjunction with CAN-bus, LIN-bus over power line
(DC-LIN) and DC-BUS.
[0093] The communications subsystem can also optionally manage one
or more identifiers, such as an IP (Internet Protocol) address(es),
associated with the vehicle and one or other system or subsystems
or components and/or devices therein. These identifiers can be used
in conjunction with any one or more of the connectivity managers as
discussed herein.
[0094] FIG. 6 illustrates a block diagram of a computing
environment 600 that may function as the servers, user computers,
or other systems provided and described herein. The computing
environment 600 includes one or more user computers, or computing
devices, such as a vehicle computing device 604, a communication
device 608, and/or more 612. The computing devices 604, 608, 612
may include general purpose personal computers (including, merely
by way of example, personal computers, and/or laptop computers
running various versions of Microsoft Corp.'s Windows.RTM. and/or
Apple Corp.'s Macintosh.RTM. operating systems) and/or workstation
computers running any of a variety of commercially-available
UNIX.RTM. or UNIX-like operating systems. These computing devices
604, 608, 612 may also have any of a variety of applications,
including for example, database client and/or server applications,
and web browser applications. Alternatively, the computing devices
604, 608, 612 may be any other electronic device, such as a
thin-client computer, Internet-enabled mobile telephone, and/or
personal digital assistant, capable of communicating via a network
352 and/or displaying and navigating web pages or other types of
electronic documents or information. Although the exemplary
computing environment 600 is shown with two computing devices, any
number of user computers or computing devices may be supported.
[0095] The computing environment 600 may also include one or more
servers 614, 616. In this example, server 614 is shown as a web
server and server 616 is shown as an application server. The web
server 614, which may be used to process requests for web pages or
other electronic documents from computing devices 604, 608, 612.
The web server 614 can be running an operating system including any
of those discussed above, as well as any commercially-available
server operating systems. The web server 614 can also run a variety
of server applications, including SIP (Session Initiation Protocol)
servers, HTTP(s) servers, FTP servers, CGI servers, database
servers, Java.RTM. servers, and the like. In some instances, the
web server 614 may publish operations available operations as one
or more web services.
[0096] The computing environment 600 may also include one or more
file and or/application servers 616, which can, in addition to an
operating system, include one or more applications accessible by a
client running on one or more of the computing devices 604, 608,
612. The server(s) 616 and/or 614 may be one or more general
purpose computers capable of executing programs or scripts in
response to the computing devices 604, 608, 612. As one example,
the server 616, 614 may execute one or more web applications. The
web application may be implemented as one or more scripts or
programs written in any programming language, such as Java.RTM., C,
C#.RTM., or C++, and/or any scripting language, such as Perl,
Python, or TCL, as well as combinations of any
programming/scripting languages. The application server(s) 616 may
also include database servers, including without limitation those
commercially available from Oracle.RTM., Microsoft.RTM.,
Sybase.RTM., IBM.RTM. and the like, which can process requests from
database clients running on a computing device 604, 608, 612.
[0097] The web pages created by the server 614 and/or 616 may be
forwarded to a computing device 604, 608, 612 via a web (file)
server 614, 616. Similarly, the web server 614 may be able to
receive web page requests, web services invocations, and/or input
data from a computing device 604, 608, 612 (e.g., a user computer,
etc.) and can forward the web page requests and/or input data to
the web (application) server 616. In further embodiments, the
server 616 may function as a file server. Although for ease of
description, FIG. 6 illustrates a separate web server 614 and
file/application server 616, those skilled in the art will
recognize that the functions described with respect to servers 614,
616 may be performed by a single server and/or a plurality of
specialized servers, depending on implementation-specific needs and
parameters. The computer systems 604, 608, 612, web (file) server
614 and/or web (application) server 616 may function as the system,
devices, or components described in FIGS. 1-6.
[0098] The computing environment 600 may also include a database
618. The database 618 may reside in a variety of locations. By way
of example, database 618 may reside on a storage medium local to
(and/or resident in) one or more of the computers 604, 608, 612,
614, 616. Alternatively, it may be remote from any or all of the
computers 604, 608, 612, 614, 616, and in communication (e.g., via
the network 610) with one or more of these. The database 618 may
reside in a storage-area network ("SAN") familiar to those skilled
in the art. Similarly, any necessary files for performing the
functions attributed to the computers 604, 608, 612, 614, 616 may
be stored locally on the respective computer and/or remotely, as
appropriate. The database 618 may be a relational database, such as
Oracle 20i.RTM., that is adapted to store, update, and retrieve
data in response to SQL-formatted commands.
[0099] FIG. 7 illustrates one embodiment of a computer system 700
upon which the servers, user computers, computing devices, or other
systems or components described above may be deployed or executed.
The computer system 700 is shown comprising hardware elements that
may be electrically coupled via a bus 704. The hardware elements
may include one or more central processing units (CPUs) 708; one or
more input devices 712 (e.g., a mouse, a keyboard, etc.); and one
or more output devices 716 (e.g., a display device, a printer,
etc.). The computer system 700 may also include one or more storage
devices 720. By way of example, storage device(s) 720 may be disk
drives, optical storage devices, solid-state storage devices such
as a random access memory ("RAM") and/or a read-only memory
("ROM"), which can be programmable, flash-updateable and/or the
like.
[0100] The computer system 700 may additionally include a
computer-readable storage media reader 724; a communications system
728 (e.g., a modem, a network card (wireless or wired), an
infra-red communication device, etc.); and working memory 736,
which may include RAM and ROM devices as described above. The
computer system 700 may also include a processing acceleration unit
732, which can include a DSP, a special-purpose processor, and/or
the like.
[0101] The computer-readable storage media reader 724 can further
be connected to a computer-readable storage medium, together (and,
optionally, in combination with storage device(s) 720)
comprehensively representing remote, local, fixed, and/or removable
storage devices plus storage media for temporarily and/or more
permanently containing computer-readable information. The
communications system 728 may permit data to be exchanged with a
network and/or any other computer described above with respect to
the computer environments described herein. Moreover, as disclosed
herein, the term "storage medium" may represent one or more devices
for storing data, including read only memory (ROM), random access
memory (RAM), magnetic RAM, core memory, magnetic disk storage
mediums, optical storage mediums, flash memory devices and/or other
machine readable mediums for storing information.
[0102] The computer system 700 may also comprise software elements,
shown as being currently located within a working memory 736,
including an operating system 740 and/or other code 744. It should
be appreciated that alternate embodiments of a computer system 700
may have numerous variations from that described above. For
example, customized hardware might also be used and/or particular
elements might be implemented in hardware, software (including
portable software, such as applets), or both. Further, connection
to other computing devices such as network input/output devices may
be employed.
[0103] Examples of the processors 340, 708 as described herein may
include, but are not limited to, at least one of Qualcomm.RTM.
Snapdragon.RTM. 800 and 801, Qualcomm.RTM. Snapdragon.RTM. 620 and
615 with 4G LTE Integration and 64-bit computing, Apple.RTM. A7
processor with 64-bit architecture, Apple.RTM. M7 motion
coprocessors, Samsung.RTM. Exynos.RTM. series, the Intel.RTM.
Core.TM. family of processors, the Intel.RTM. Xeon.RTM. family of
processors, the Intel.RTM. Atom.TM. family of processors, the Intel
Itanium.RTM. family of processors, Intel.RTM. Core.RTM. i5-4670K
and i7-4770K 22 nm Haswell, Intel.RTM. Core.RTM. i5-3570K 22 nm Ivy
Bridge, the AMD.RTM. FX.TM. family of processors, AMD.RTM. FX-4300,
FX-6300, and FX-8350 32 nm Vishera, AMD.RTM. Kaveri processors,
Texas Instruments.RTM. Jacinto C6000.TM. automotive infotainment
processors, Texas Instruments.RTM. OMAP.TM. automotive-grade mobile
processors, ARM.RTM. Cortex.TM.-M processors, ARM.RTM. Cortex-A and
ARM926EJ-S.TM. processors, other industry-equivalent processors,
and may perform computational functions using any known or
future-developed standard, instruction set, libraries, and/or
architecture.
[0104] FIG. 8 illustrates exemplary components of a security system
800 in a vehicle. The security system 800 includes a multi-factor
authentication system 804, a BIOS controller 808, a security
license system 812, a passenger information module 816, connected
to one or more data storage devices, a biometric module 820, a
navigation system 824, a communications system 828, a backup key
module 832, and a key reader 836, one or more of which can be in
communication with the communication subsystem 350, and/or any
other vehicle system or subsystem as discussed herein.
[0105] In accordance with one exemplary embodiment, multi-factor
authentication is utilized to unlock or otherwise provide access to
the vehicle. In particular, when a user approaches the vehicle and
requests access to the vehicle, the multi-factor authentication
system 804, optionally in conjunction with the communication
subsystem 350 and antenna 504, can communicate to the user that
they have received a request for access to the vehicle, and request
additional forms of authentication. The multi-factor authentication
system 804 can optionally perform a filter based on this initial
request to the vehicle, and instead communicate to the user that
the vehicle is not available if, for example, an initial ID or
other type of identifier presented by the user does not correspond
to a list of authorized user(s) for the vehicle. For example, a
user with their smartphone can approach the vehicle and the
smartphone can communicate information regarding the identity of
the user to the vehicle. Upon approaching the vehicle, the user can
indicate that they would like to access the vehicle. This
indication can be performed via one or more of docking the device,
e.g., smartphone, to the vehicle, inserting a "key" as discussed
herein into an appropriate key reader 836, utilizing wireless
communications to query a surrounding area and selecting the
vehicle that the user would want to access, in a manner similar to
the way a device can identify, and connect with available wireless
networks, and/or utilizing one or more of the sensors as discussed
herein. For example, and as discussed, one or more of the vehicle
sensors can identify the presence of a user proximate to the
vehicle. Upon detecting the proximity of the user, the vehicle
could optionally query the user or a user's device, such as the
user's smartphone, and determine whether an identity on the
smartphone is an authorized user of the vehicle.
[0106] Once it is determined that the user could potentially be an
authorized user of the vehicle, the multi-factor authentication
system 804 can indicate to the user that additional factors of
authentication are required before allowing them full access to the
vehicle. As discussed, this multi-factor authentication can be
based on one or more of biometric information, a rolling RSA
security license, a password, a key, encryption and/or decryption
information, and/or in general any information supplemental to a
first portion of information that are usable in combination to
ensure the user is an appropriately authorized user of the vehicle.
As is to be appreciated, the greater number of factors, the greater
the chances of ensuring that the user is an appropriately
authorized user of the vehicle. Should the appropriate
authentications not be presented at any time, the vehicle can
maintain itself in a locked-down state and, in accordance with one
exemplary embodiment, the BIOS controller 808 preventing an
unauthorized access to and/or usage of the vehicle.
[0107] The RSA SecurID authentication mechanism includes a token
(which can be either hardware (e.g., a key fob) or software (a soft
token)) which is assigned to a user and which generates an
authentication code at fixed intervals (usually 60 seconds) using a
built-in clock and the card's factory-encoded random key (known as
the "seed"). The seed is different for each token, and is loaded
into the corresponding RSA SecurID server. The RSA SecurID
technology also allows on-demand tokens, which provide a token code
via email or SMS delivery, eliminating the need to provision a
token to the user.
[0108] In accordance with one exemplary operational embodiment, a
user approaches a vehicle with their smartphone and upon being
within communication distance of the vehicle, the smartphone passes
user identification information to the vehicle. The vehicle,
recognizing this user identification information, using the
multi-factor authentication system 804 and communications subsystem
350, requests one or more additional pieces of information to
complete a multi-factor authenticate process. Next, for example,
the smartphone can receive from the vehicle a request for the user
to have their fingerprint scanned on their smartphone. Upon
receiving this request, the user scans their fingerprint on the
smartphone, with this biometric information communicatable, via the
communication subsystem 350, to the vehicle such that the
multi-factor authentication system 804, in cooperation with the
passenger information module 816, can read the fingerprint and
determine whether the fingerprint is sufficient enough for the
multi-factor authentication system 804 to unlock or otherwise
provide access to the vehicle. Assuming that the multi-factor
authentication system 804 determines that the fingerprint matches a
fingerprint stored in the passenger information module 816, the
vehicle can optionally request further authentication information,
such as a rolling RSA security license/code as discussed.
[0109] For example, the user can be equipped with a FOB, with this
FOB having RSA security license information in the form of an
alpha-numeric character string, that is "rolled" or updated at some
predetermined interval. The vehicle could ask for this RSA rolling
code to be entered, via one or more of, the users smartphone, a
keypad on the vehicle, verbally spoken to the vehicle, or in
general in any manner in which the information can get communicated
to the vehicle. In accordance with one exemplary embodiment, this
rolling RSA security license could be encoded in a barcode, QR
code, or the like that could be presented to a sensor of the
vehicle so that the rolling RSA security license code can be read
by the vehicle for another factor in the multi-factor
authentication process. As will be appreciated, this process can
continue for any number of iterations, with the number of
iterations proportionally increasing the accuracy of
authentication, while being inversely proportional to the user
experience.
[0110] If for any reason any of the various multi-factor
authentications fail, the vehicle can remain in a locked-down
state, and otherwise be secured as discussed herein. Otherwise,
assuming all authentications are approved/verified, one or more of
the vehicle systems can be turned on or enabled in conjunction with
the BIOS controller 808. As discussed, the BIOS controller 808 can
manage, at a low-level, one or more of the vehicle operational
systems with it generally being understood that this low-level type
of control is more secure than a higher-level control, such as an
application level, type of security.
[0111] The security license system 812 can verify the integrity of
the rolling RSA security license, optionally in cooperation with
the communication subsystem 350, and either approve or reject the
presented code. Approval of the code allows access to one or more
vehicle features as discussed.
[0112] The BIOS controller 808, can cooperate with an
encryption/decryption module (not shown). The encryption/decryption
module can be used in a manner similar to a self-encrypting drive
or a full disc encryption drive in a computing environment. For
example, with one or more of the vehicle's systems or subsystems
can be encrypted, with decryption being exceedingly difficult
absent an appropriate decryption key. Without decryption, these
vehicle systems could be rendered useless. Thus, the security
license system 812, can cooperate with the BIOS controller 808 such
that another level of security, that being encryption, can be used
to "lock"/"unlock" one or more of the vehicle systems.
[0113] One exemplary advantage of the technologies discussed herein
is that multiple users could be using a vehicle, such as a shared
vehicle. As passenger and user information can optionally be stored
in the vehicle, the security of this information is important. This
information can include user preferences, passenger preferences,
vehicle setting preferences, and the like, as discussed herein,
which from a user experience standpoint would be beneficial to have
available for the user of vehicle.
[0114] For example, a user can have in their profile preferences
regarding mirror position, temperature, seating positions, stored
favorite destinations, contact information, infotainment
information, credit card or other payment information, and in
general any information relating to the usage of that particular
vehicle associated with that vehicle. If a user has previously used
a vehicle, the availability of that information can improve user
experience and reduce the amount of time it takes for a user's
profile to be downloaded and updated on the vehicle. However,
having this personal information on the vehicle creates security
concerns. In addition to the multi-factor authentication usable to
access the vehicle, which can also be used to unlock one or more
portions of the user data stored in the passenger information
module 816, one or more additional factors of authentication can
optionally be used before the user is granted access to the profile
information stored in the passenger information module. As with the
prior techniques discussed herein, communications can occur between
the vehicle and the user, such as the user's smartphone, and/or via
interface on the vehicle, to request additional information from
the user to ensure they are authorized to access one or more
portions of passenger information in the passenger information
module 816. As with the other systems discussed herein, this
passenger information can be encrypted, and only upon presentation
of the appropriate decryption key, the user provided access to this
information. In accordance with one exemplary embodiment,
multi-factor authentication is also required to access information
in the passenger information module 816. Here, the multi-factor
authentication system 804 requests the user for a fingerprint, and
a verbal password, which are then checked, and if correct, the
passenger information module 816 is unlocked. It is to be
appreciated that any type of information can be used for access to
the one or more portions of user data such as the rolling RSA
security license, password information, and/or information or codes
presented via a "key" such as credit card having embedded therein a
smart chip with one or more access codes or information.
[0115] If the multi-factor authentication system 804 requires
biometric information as part of the multi-factor authentication,
the biometric module 820 can be used to determine whether the
presented biometric information matches that of an authorized user.
For example, the biometric module 820 can store information
regarding biometric matches for authorized users and/or communicate
with a cloud that stores information regarding which users have
been authenticated for use of the vehicle. As will be appreciated,
this authentication information can optionally include an
identification of what time period(s) the user is authenticated
for, e.g., time and place authentication. As one example, a user
(Person Y) may be authenticated for use of the vehicle on the 17th
of January, and again from 8 am to 12 pm on the 19th of January.
This information can be communicated from the cloud, via the
communication subsystem 350, to the vehicle such that the vehicle
has the necessary information (information about Person Y (e.g.,
biometrics) and reservation information) usable for allowing user
access.
[0116] Once the various authentications have been performed and
confirmed, operation of the vehicle can commence in the traditional
manner with the user being provided access to one or more or all of
the vehicle systems.
[0117] Upon leaving the vehicle, the appropriate securing of the
vehicle can optionally occur. In accordance with one exemplary
aspect, a user requests the vehicle to be locked. This can be
accomplished in a manual, semiautomatic, or automatic manner. For
example, one or more of the vehicle sensors can detect that the
user is no longer proximate to or in the vehicle. This detection
can be a trigger to lock the vehicle. The user could also request
the vehicle be locked. The user could also, via an app on their
smartphone, request the vehicle be locked. In general, an
methodology requesting securing of the vehicle can be used with the
technology discussed herein.
[0118] Upon receiving a request to lock or secure the vehicle, the
BIOS controller 808 can commence a low-level security lock-down
operation optionally utilizing encryption. For example, and as
discussed, upon receipt of a locking request, the vehicle, and more
particularly, the security license system 812 and BIOS controller
808, can commence locking or securing of the vehicle optionally
with encryption. In accordance with one exemplary aspect, one or
more portions of the vehicle systems and/or subsystems and/or
information stored within the passenger information module 816, can
be encrypted, with the decryption key provided to the user. In
accordance with one embodiment, the user is provided this
decryption key via wired or wireless communication means to their
smartphone, card with a smart chip, and/or in general to any
mechanism (s) communications device, or the like, it is capable of
storing the decryption key. Optionally, the BIOS controller 808 can
also lockdown at a low-level one or more of the vehicle systems
and/or subsystems discussed herein.
[0119] This information regarding the locking down of the vehicle
can optionally be provided to the user, via for example, their
smartphone, to indicate which one or more of the systems have been
locked down and/or encrypted and status information regarding the
state of the vehicle being updatable and providable to the user at
any point or at predetermined intervals. For example, the user
could request confirmation of the lock down procedure with any
change in this status communicatable to the user, via, for example,
an app on their smartphone.
[0120] In accordance with another optional embodiment, the security
license system 812, can cooperate with one or more of the backup
key module 832 and key reader 836 to perform authentication. For
example, an unlocking request can be received for a vehicle as
discussed. Next, one or more codes and/or security licenses can be
received from the user, that are validatable by the security
license system A12. As discussed, these codes and/or security
licenses can be rolling RSA security licenses, passwords or
passphrases, or in general any type of information usable to secure
the vehicle. If authenticated by the security license system 812,
access to one or more of the vehicle systems and/or passenger
information can be provided. If however, the user is scheduled or
indicated as being an authorized user of the vehicle, but for some
reason they are unable to authenticate using one or more of the
techniques disclosed herein, the backup key module 832 can be used
to allow user access to the vehicle. In accordance with one
exemplary aspect, the backup key module 832, cooperating with a key
reader 836, can receive information from one or more of a
smartphone, a "credit card" with an embedded smart chip, from a
physical key with an embedded circuit, audibly, (e.g., a "key") or
in some other manner a code/information that can be used to
override the system. As one example, the code can be similar to a
boot key or other string of characters or information that can be
used to verify the authenticity of the "key" and optionally the
user. As with the other embodiments, this verification can be
coupled to one or more other authentication techniques for
multi-factor authentication. This key can optionally be a long and
complex alphanumeric string, can include encrypted information,
and/or can in general be any information usable to authenticate the
backup key upon to the backup key module 832 confirming that the
presented information matches stored authentication information for
the vehicle. Upon confirmation of the authenticity, the user can be
presented access to the vehicle and/or one or more of the vehicle
systems and/or subsystems.
[0121] Another optional is that a trusted platform module (TPM) can
be used to authenticate the "key." For example, a TPM is a secure
cryptoprocessor embedded in, for example, a motherboard of one or
more of the vehicle systems that can be used to authenticate a
hardware device such as those described above. Since each TPM chip
is unique to a particular device, the TPM is capable of performing
platform authentication. It can be used to verify that the system
seeking the access is the expected system to access the
vehicle.
[0122] The disk encryption solutions in the vehicle can include
this support for TPM. These implementations can wrap the decryption
key using the TPM, thus tying the storage device(s) to a particular
device and/or system/subsystem. If the storage is removed from that
particular vehicle system and placed in another vehicle for
example, the decryption process will fail. The subsequent recovery
is only possible with the decryption password or token. Even though
this technology has the advantage that the storage cannot be
removed from the vehicle system, the technology might create a
single point of failure in the encryption. For example, if
something happens to the TPM or the motherboard, a user would not
be able to access the data by connecting the storage to another
computer, unless that user has a separate recovery key(s).
[0123] In accordance with another exemplary embodiment user
information is not stored in the vehicle until user authentication
has been performed. In accordance with this exemplary feature, upon
a user being authenticated to the vehicle, the vehicle enables one
or more of its systems and/or subsystems, and, via the
communication system 350, communicates with the cloud to download a
user profile and/or user preference information. In accordance with
this exemplary embodiment, which can be used to improve user
experience, and in general improve integration of the user with the
vehicle, this user information can be downloaded from a cloud
and/or another location, such as from the user, such as from the
user's smartphone. This information is then usable as discussed
herein to control one or more aspects of the vehicle.
[0124] In accordance with another optional embodiment, optionally
in conjunction with a user's smartphone, time and place information
optionally in conjunction with the multi-factor authentication, can
be used to vet a user regarding their authorization to access the
vehicle. As discussed, the multi-factor authentication can include
any of the information as discussed herein as well as information
such as whether the user has reserved a vehicle at a particular
time and place. For example, assume the user has reserved the
vehicle from 10 am to 4 pm on January 1.sup.st with the user
picking up the vehicle at 4.sup.th and Broadway. This reservation
can be communicated to the vehicle, and the vehicle with the
vehicle from 9:55 am until 4:05 pm monitoring for the presence of
the user with the reservation.
[0125] As the vehicle expects the user to present their credentials
for usage of the vehicle during this time period, when the user
presents their credentials during this authorized time period, the
vehicle sensors can physically detect the user's proximity to the
vehicle, via, for example, reading an identifier from their
smartphone, which can then be used as a first factor for
authentication. This can optionally be coupled with location
information. For example, if the user is reserved to pick up the
car on the corner of 4th and Broadway, and the vehicle is present
at that location at the same time as the user, this can be coupled
with the user information from the smartphone as 2 factors of
authentication, with the reservation optionally being a third
factor of authentication.
[0126] FIG. 9 outlines an exemplary method for multi-factor
authentication. In particular, control begins in step S900 and
continues to step S904. In step S904, a multi-factor authentication
request is received by a user. As discussed, this request can be
received on, for example, the user's smartphone, by the vehicle
"speaking" or otherwise communicating to the user, and/or
presenting a request for the multi-factor authentication on a user
interface on the vehicle, or in general using any known
methodology, technique, or technology. Next, in step S908, the
first authentication factor is identified, read, recognized, or
otherwise communicated to the vehicle. Optionally, in step S912, a
second, or more, authentication factors can be requested by the
vehicle. Once these one or more authentications are presented to
the vehicle, a determination is made in step S916 as to whether the
appropriate number of authentications have been presented. If the
required number of authentications have not been presented, control
jumps back to step S904 with the vehicle remaining in a locked-down
state. Next, in step S920, a determination is made as to whether
the presented authentication factor had been validated. If the
presented authentication factors are validated, control continues
to step S924 with control otherwise jumping back to step S904 and
the vehicle maintaining a locked-down state.
[0127] In step S924, one or more of the vehicles systems are turned
on. Next, in step S928, the user can be provided optional access to
one or more portions of user data stored in the vehicle.
Alternatively, or in addition, user data can be downloaded from
another destination, such as the cloud or a distributed network
device(s), to the user for use with the vehicle. Next, in step
S932, operation of the vehicle can commence and in step S936 access
to one or more of the vehicle systems provided. Control continues
to step S940 where the control sequence ends.
[0128] FIG. 10 outlines an exemplary method for locking a vehicle.
In particular, control begins in step S1000 and continues to step
S1004. In step S1004, a request for locking of the vehicle is
detected. Next, in step S1008, an optional low-level security
protocol can be initiated, further optionally in conjunction with
encryption. As discussed, this low-level security can be a BIOS, or
equivalent, low-level type of security in the vehicle. This
low-level type of security is usually the first system to be
activated once the computerized systems in the vehicle are turned
on, and is a precursor to any higher-level applications and/or
security that may be run. Generally, these BIOS or low-level
security features can be much more robust than higher-level
security features.
[0129] Optionally further, and as discussed, one or more of the
vehicle systems can also be encrypted in conjunction with this
locking. With the encryption key being provided to the user, for
use with subsequent decryption. In accordance with one exemplary
embodiment, the encryption key information can be forwarded to a
cloud. Thus, when a new user is authorized to use the vehicle, this
decryption information can be communicated, for example wirelessly,
to the new user, such that a new user can use this information to
decrypt or unlock the vehicle. In this manner, the cloud could
maintain information regarding who is an authorized user, and
provide the authorized user the necessary information, such as a
decryption key, which could be usable as one of the multi-factors
of authentication. With the vehicle "locked down" in step S1012,
access to one or more of the vehicle systems and/or data or
information stored therein is restricted. Control then continues to
step S1016.
[0130] In step S1016, a "key" can optionally be provided to the
user. As discussed, this key can be provided to, for example, a
user's smartphone, a credit card-like device with a smart chip, or
in general to any device. Next, in step S1020, information
regarding the one or more vehicle systems that have been secured,
and/or the status of the vehicle, can be maintained and optionally
communicated to the user, such as via their smartphone, this
information being updatable at predetermined and/or regular
intervals. In step S1024, multi-factor authentication could be
required for unlocking of the vehicle once it has performed its
lock-down procedure. Control then continues to step S1028 where the
control sequence ends.
[0131] FIG. 11 outlines an exemplary method for utilizing one or
more of codes and/or security licenses to obtain access to a
vehicle. In particular, control begins in step S1100 and continues
to step S1104. In step S1104, the request for vehicle unlocking is
detected. Next, in step S1108, and optionally in response to a
query from the vehicle, one or more codes and/or security licenses
are presented for authentication. As discussed, these codes and/or
licenses could be rolling RSA security codes, licenses, and in
general can be any type of information usable for authentication.
Next, in step S1112, a determination is made whether the one or
more codes and/or security licenses are authenticatable. If
authenticatable, control continues to step S1116 with control
otherwise jumping back to step S1104.
[0132] In step S1116, one or more vehicle systems are turned on.
Next, in step S1120, access to one or more portions of user data
stored in the vehicle and/or commencing of user data being
downloaded can also optionally commence. This downloading of data
can use, for example, one or more of the received codes and/or
security licenses that were presented in step S1108 for
authentication to access the user data. Next, in Step s1124,
operation of the vehicle is enabled and, in step S1128, access to
one or more vehicle systems turned on. In accordance with one
optional embodiment, the presented codes and/or security licenses
can contain information as to which one or more vehicle systems
and/or information stored thereon the user can utilize. For
example, the usage license can have varying degrees of usage, such
as a silver-level user, a gold-level usage, and a platinum-level
usage. Based on this information, one or more of the various
vehicle systems can be enabled and/or disabled. For example, a
platinum-level user would have access to all vehicle systems. A
gold-level user, may have access to only a portion of the vehicle
systems and/or functionality. A silver-level user, may only have
access to basic vehicle functionality, not including, for example,
vehicle infotainment, climate control, or the like. These various
systems can then be turned on/off based on the user's usage license
with the user optionally having the ability to upgrade their
license via, for example, payment of a fee, to unlock more vehicle
functions. Control then continues to step S1132 where the control
sequence ends.
[0133] As discussed herein, one factor of authentication can be
location and time based authentication. Location-based
authentication is a special procedure to prove a user's identity
and authenticity on appearance simply by detecting the user's
presence at a distinct location. To enable location-based
authentication, a special combination of factors is required.
Firsthand, the user that applies for being identified and
authenticated has to present a sign of identity. Secondly, the user
carries at least one human authentication factor that may be
recognized by the vehicle. Thirdly, the distinct location must be
equipped with a resident means that is capable to determine the
coincidence of individual at this distinct location, such as the
vehicle's navigation/GPS system.
[0134] Time-based authentication is a special procedure to prove a
user's identity and authenticity on appearance simply by detecting
the user's presence at a scheduled time of day or within a
scheduled time interval/window, optionally further at a distinct
location. To enable time-based authentication, a special
combination of factors is required. Firsthand, the user who applies
for being identified and authenticated has to present a sign of
identity. Secondly, the user has to carry at least one human
authentication factor that may be recognized on the distinct time
and optionally in a certain location. Thirdly, the vehicle must be
equipped with a resident means that is capable to determine the
distinct time (such as via one or more of the onboard systems such
as GPS) and compare it with when the user is expected or
authorized. A combination of location based authentication and time
based authentication bad also be used that require mates for both
location and time to occur before access/authorization is
granted.
[0135] Any of the steps, functions, and operations discussed herein
can be performed continuously and automatically.
[0136] The exemplary systems and methods of this disclosure have
been described in relation to vehicle systems and electric
vehicles. However, to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the present
disclosure, the preceding description omits a number of known
structures and devices. This omission is not to be construed as a
limitation of the scope of the claimed disclosure. Specific details
are set forth to provide an understanding of the present
disclosure. It should, however, be appreciated that the present
disclosure may be practiced in a variety of ways beyond the
specific detail set forth herein.
[0137] Furthermore, while the exemplary embodiments illustrated
herein show the various components of the system collocated,
certain components of the system can be located remotely, at
distant portions of a distributed network, such as a LAN and/or the
Internet, or within a dedicated system. Thus, it should be
appreciated, that the components of the system can be combined into
one or more devices, such as a server, communication device, or
collocated on a particular node of a distributed network, such as
an analog and/or digital telecommunications network, a
packet-switched network, or a circuit-switched network. It will be
appreciated from the preceding description, and for reasons of
computational efficiency, that the components of the system can be
arranged at any location within a distributed network of components
without affecting the operation of the system.
[0138] Furthermore, it should be appreciated that the various links
connecting the elements can be wired or wireless links, or any
combination thereof, or any other known or later developed
element(s) that is capable of supplying and/or communicating data
to and from the connected elements. These wired or wireless links
can also be secure links and may be capable of communicating
encrypted information. Transmission media used as links, for
example, can be any suitable carrier for electrical signals,
including coaxial cables, copper wire, and fiber optics, and may
take the form of acoustic or light waves, such as those generated
during radio-wave and infra-red data communications.
[0139] While the flowcharts have been discussed and illustrated in
relation to a particular sequence of events, it should be
appreciated that changes, additions, and omissions to this sequence
can occur without materially affecting the operation of the
disclosed embodiments, configuration, and aspects.
[0140] A number of variations and modifications of the disclosure
can be used. It would be possible to provide for some features of
the disclosure without providing others.
[0141] In yet another embodiment, the systems and methods of this
disclosure can be implemented in conjunction with a special purpose
computer, a programmed microprocessor or microcontroller and
peripheral integrated circuit element(s), an ASIC or other
integrated circuit, a digital signal processor, a hard-wired
electronic or logic circuit such as discrete element circuit, a
programmable logic device or gate array such as PLD, PLA, FPGA,
PAL, special purpose computer, any comparable means, or the like.
In general, any device(s) or means capable of implementing the
methodology illustrated herein can be used to implement the various
aspects of this disclosure. Exemplary hardware that can be used for
the present disclosure includes computers, handheld devices,
telephones (e.g., cellular, Internet enabled, digital, analog,
hybrids, and others), and other hardware known in the art. Some of
these devices include processors (e.g., a single or multiple
microprocessors), memory, nonvolatile storage, input devices, and
output devices. Furthermore, alternative software implementations
including, but not limited to, distributed processing or
component/object distributed processing, parallel processing, or
virtual machine processing can also be constructed to implement the
methods described herein.
[0142] In yet another embodiment, the disclosed methods may be
readily implemented in conjunction with software using object or
object-oriented software development environments that provide
portable source code that can be used on a variety of computer or
workstation platforms. Alternatively, the disclosed system may be
implemented partially or fully in hardware using standard logic
circuits or VLSI design. Whether software or hardware is used to
implement the systems in accordance with this disclosure is
dependent on the speed and/or efficiency requirements of the
system, the particular function, and the particular software or
hardware systems or microprocessor or microcomputer systems being
utilized.
[0143] In yet another embodiment, the disclosed methods may be
partially implemented in software that can be stored on a storage
medium, executed on programmed general-purpose computer with the
cooperation of a controller and memory, a special purpose computer,
a microprocessor, or the like. In these instances, the systems and
methods of this disclosure can be implemented as a program embedded
on a personal computer such as an applet, JAVA.RTM. or CGI script,
as a resource residing on a server or computer workstation, as a
routine embedded in a dedicated measurement system, system
component, or the like. The system can also be implemented by
physically incorporating the system and/or method into a software
and/or hardware system.
[0144] Although the present disclosure describes components and
functions implemented in the embodiments with reference to
particular standards and protocols, the disclosure is not limited
to such standards and protocols. Other similar standards and
protocols not mentioned herein are in existence and are considered
to be included in the present disclosure. Moreover, the standards
and protocols mentioned herein and other similar standards and
protocols not mentioned herein are periodically superseded by
faster or more effective equivalents having essentially the same
functions. Such replacement standards and protocols having the same
functions are considered equivalents included in the present
disclosure.
[0145] The present disclosure, in various embodiments,
configurations, and aspects, includes components, methods,
processes, systems and/or apparatus substantially as depicted and
described herein, including various embodiments, subcombinations,
and subsets thereof. Those of skill in the art will understand how
to make and use the systems and methods disclosed herein after
understanding the present disclosure. The present disclosure, in
various embodiments, configurations, and aspects, includes
providing devices and processes in the absence of items not
depicted and/or described herein or in various embodiments,
configurations, or aspects hereof, including in the absence of such
items as may have been used in previous devices or processes, e.g.,
for improving performance, achieving ease, and/or reducing cost of
implementation.
[0146] The foregoing discussion of the disclosure has been
presented for purposes of illustration and description. The
foregoing is not intended to limit the disclosure to the form or
forms disclosed herein. In the foregoing Detailed Description for
example, various features of the disclosure are grouped together in
one or more embodiments, configurations, or aspects for the purpose
of streamlining the disclosure. The features of the embodiments,
configurations, or aspects of the disclosure may be combined in
alternate embodiments, configurations, or aspects other than those
discussed above. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted
as reflecting an intention that the claimed disclosure requires
more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as
the following claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in less than
all features of a single foregoing disclosed embodiment,
configuration, or aspect. Thus, the following claims are hereby
incorporated into this Detailed Description, with each claim
standing on its own as a separate preferred embodiment of the
disclosure.
[0147] Moreover, though the description of the disclosure has
included description of one or more embodiments, configurations, or
aspects and certain variations and modifications, other variations,
combinations, and modifications are within the scope of the
disclosure, e.g., as may be within the skill and knowledge of those
in the art, after understanding the present disclosure. It is
intended to obtain rights, which include alternative embodiments,
configurations, or aspects to the extent permitted, including
alternate, interchangeable and/or equivalent structures, functions,
ranges, or steps to those claimed, whether or not such alternate,
interchangeable and/or equivalent structures, functions, ranges, or
steps are disclosed herein, and without intending to publicly
dedicate any patentable subject matter.
[0148] Exemplary aspects are directed toward:
A vehicle, comprising:
[0149] a communications system configured to receive a plurality of
factors for authentication in response to a request for
authentication;
[0150] a multi-factor authentication system in communication with
the communication system to determine whether access to the vehicle
should be provided based on the received plurality of factors;
[0151] a low-level controller that allows access to one or more
vehicle systems upon authentication confirmation from the
multi-factor authentication system; and
the multi-factor authentication system further allowing access to
user profile information associated with the vehicle based on the
authentication. Any one or more of the above aspects, wherein the
plurality of factors include one or more of user identity
information, biometric information, license information, rolling
code information, password information, time information, location
information, reservation information, secure code information, a
decryption key and/or an authorization code. Any one or more of the
above aspects, wherein the communications system receives the
plurality of factors for authentication one or more of wirelessly,
through direct electrical contact, via a user interface, from a
smartphone, from an electronic device, audibly, and/or from a
reader. Any one or more of the above aspects, wherein the vehicle
is a shared vehicle and one of the plurality of factors for
authentication is a reservation for the vehicle at a date and a
time. Any one or more of the above aspects, wherein the
authentication provides access to only some of the vehicle systems.
Any one or more of the above aspects, wherein a license associated
with the authentication specifies which vehicle systems a user can
access. Any one or more of the above aspects, wherein after
authentication the vehicle is subsequently locked and one or more
of the one or more vehicle systems are encrypted. Any one or more
of the above aspects, wherein the vehicle communicates a decryption
key to a user device and/or a cloud. Any one or more of the above
aspects, wherein authentication triggers downloading by the vehicle
of user's information from a remote location. Any one or more of
the above aspects, wherein the request for authentication is
triggered by a vehicle sensor detecting a presence of a user. A
method to operate a vehicle comprising:
[0152] receiving a plurality of factors for authentication in
response to a communicated request for authentication;
[0153] determining whether access to the vehicle should be provided
based on the received plurality of factors;
[0154] allows access, using a low-level controller, to one or more
vehicle systems upon authentication confirmation from the
multi-factor authentication system; and
[0155] allowing access to user profile information associated with
the vehicle based on the authentication.
Any one or more of the above aspects, wherein the plurality of
factors include one or more of user identity information, biometric
information, license information, rolling code information,
password information, time information, location information,
reservation information, secure code information, a decryption key
and/or an authorization code. Any one or more of the above aspects,
wherein a communications system receives the plurality of factors
for authentication one or more of wirelessly, through direct
electrical contact, via a user interface, from a smartphone, from
an electronic device, audibly, and/or from a reader. Any one or
more of the above aspects, wherein the vehicle is a shared vehicle
and one of the plurality of factors for authentication is a
reservation for the vehicle at a date and a time. Any one or more
of the above aspects, wherein the authentication provides access to
only some of the vehicle systems. Any one or more of the above
aspects, wherein a license associated with the authentication
specifies which vehicle systems a user can access. Any one or more
of the above aspects, wherein after authentication the vehicle is
subsequently locked and one or more of the one or more vehicle
systems are encrypted. Any one or more of the above aspects,
wherein the vehicle communicates a decryption key to a user device
and/or a distributed network. Any one or more of the above aspects,
wherein authentication triggers downloading by the vehicle of
user's information from a remote location. Any one or more of the
above aspects, wherein the request for authentication is triggered
by a vehicle sensor detecting a presence of a user. A vehicle
comprising:
[0156] means for receiving a plurality of factors for
authentication in response to a communicated request for
authentication;
[0157] means for determining whether access to the vehicle should
be provided based on the received plurality of factors;
[0158] means for allows access, using a low-level controller, to
one or more vehicle systems upon authentication confirmation from
the multi-factor authentication system; and
[0159] means for allowing access to user profile information
associated with the vehicle based on the authentication.
[0160] Any one or more of the aspects/embodiments as substantially
disclosed herein.
[0161] Any one or more of the aspects/embodiments as substantially
disclosed herein optionally in combination with any one or more
other aspects/embodiments as substantially disclosed herein.
[0162] One or means adapted to perform any one or more of the above
aspects/embodiments as substantially disclosed herein.
[0163] The phrases "at least one," "one or more," "or," and
"and/or" are open-ended expressions that are both conjunctive and
disjunctive in operation. For example, each of the expressions "at
least one of A, B and C," "at least one of A, B, or C," "one or
more of A, B, and C," "one or more of A, B, or C," "A, B, and/or
C," and "A, B, or C" means A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B
together, A and C together, B and C together, or A, B and C
together.
[0164] The term "a" or "an" entity refers to one or more of that
entity. As such, the terms "a" (or "an"), "one or more," and "at
least one" can be used interchangeably herein. It is also to be
noted that the terms "comprising," "including," and "having" can be
used interchangeably.
[0165] The term "automatic" and variations thereof, as used herein,
refers to any process or operation, which is typically continuous
or semi-continuous, done without material human input when the
process or operation is performed. However, a process or operation
can be automatic, even though performance of the process or
operation uses material or immaterial human input, if the input is
received before performance of the process or operation. Human
input is deemed to be material if such input influences how the
process or operation will be performed. Human input that consents
to the performance of the process or operation is not deemed to be
"material."
[0166] Aspects of the present disclosure may take the form of an
embodiment that is entirely hardware, an embodiment that is
entirely software (including firmware, resident software,
micro-code, etc.) or an embodiment combining software and hardware
aspects that may all generally be referred to herein as a
"circuit," "module," or "system." Any combination of one or more
computer-readable medium(s) may be utilized. The computer-readable
medium may be a computer-readable signal medium or a
computer-readable storage medium.
[0167] A computer-readable storage medium may be, for example, but
not limited to, an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic,
infrared, or semiconductor system, apparatus, or device, or any
suitable combination of the foregoing. More specific examples (a
non-exhaustive list) of the computer-readable storage medium would
include the following: an electrical connection having one or more
wires, a portable computer diskette, a hard disk, a random access
memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable
read-only memory (EPROM or Flash memory), an optical fiber, a
portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), an optical storage
device, a magnetic storage device, or any suitable combination of
the foregoing. In the context of this document, a computer-readable
storage medium may be any tangible medium that can contain or store
a program for use by or in connection with an instruction execution
system, apparatus, or device.
[0168] A computer-readable signal medium may include a propagated
data signal with computer-readable program code embodied therein,
for example, in baseband or as part of a carrier wave. Such a
propagated signal may take any of a variety of forms, including,
but not limited to, electro-magnetic, optical, or any suitable
combination thereof. A computer-readable signal medium may be any
computer-readable medium that is not a computer-readable storage
medium and that can communicate, propagate, or transport a program
for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system,
apparatus, or device. Program code embodied on a computer-readable
medium may be transmitted using any appropriate medium, including,
but not limited to, wireless, wireline, optical fiber cable, RF,
etc., or any suitable combination of the foregoing.
[0169] The terms "determine," "calculate," "compute," and
variations thereof, as used herein, are used interchangeably and
include any type of methodology, process, mathematical operation or
technique.
[0170] The term "electric vehicle" (EV), also referred to herein as
an electric drive vehicle, may use one or more electric motors or
traction motors for propulsion. An electric vehicle may be powered
through a collector system by electricity from off-vehicle sources,
or may be self-contained with a battery or generator to convert
fuel to electricity. An electric vehicle generally includes a
rechargeable electricity storage system (RESS) (also called Full
Electric Vehicles (FEV)). Power storage methods may include:
chemical energy stored on the vehicle in on-board batteries (e.g.,
battery electric vehicle or BEV), on board kinetic energy storage
(e.g., flywheels), and/or static energy (e.g., by on-board
double-layer capacitors). Batteries, electric double-layer
capacitors, and flywheel energy storage may be forms of
rechargeable on-board electrical storage.
[0171] The term "hybrid electric vehicle" refers to a vehicle that
may combine a conventional (usually fossil fuel-powered) powertrain
with some form of electric propulsion. Most hybrid electric
vehicles combine a conventional internal combustion engine (ICE)
propulsion system with an electric propulsion system (hybrid
vehicle drivetrain). In parallel hybrids, the ICE and the electric
motor are both connected to the mechanical transmission and can
simultaneously transmit power to drive the wheels, usually through
a conventional transmission. In series hybrids, only the electric
motor drives the drivetrain, and a smaller ICE works as a generator
to power the electric motor or to recharge the batteries.
Power-split hybrids combine series and parallel characteristics. A
full hybrid, sometimes also called a strong hybrid, is a vehicle
that can run on just the engine, just the batteries, or a
combination of both. A mid hybrid is a vehicle that cannot be
driven solely on its electric motor, because the electric motor
does not have enough power to propel the vehicle on its own.
[0172] The term "rechargeable electric vehicle" or "REV" refers to
a vehicle with on board rechargeable energy storage, including
electric vehicles and hybrid electric vehicles.
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